070122 - Northern California Edition

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Volume 21 - No. 26 • 14 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

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JULY 1-7, 2022

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY

New proposal may grant most Californians DATELINE USA Fil-Am-led nonprofit seeks with stipend amid rising gasoline prices to reduce gun violence, FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

turn firearms into art

WITH hundreds of deaths by guns in America every single day, California-based nonprofit the Robby Poblete Foundation (RPF) is seeing the need to continuously expand its reach to other states, especially where gun-related violence is prevalent.

In 2017, RPF was created by Filipina American Pati Navalta in honor of her son 23-year-old Robby Poblete who was killed by gun violence in Vallejo, California on September 21, 2014.

Robby was learning to weld at a biotech company at the time of his death.

Navalta, in an interview with the Asian Journal, said for the past years since the inception of the RPF, they have been actively pursuing initiatives based on their three programs: Gun Buyback; The Art of Peace; and Vocational Skills. She said the COVID-19 pandemic had somewhat put their activities on the sideline but they are slowly trying to pick up the pace.

The RPF founder and executive director said they have recently partnered with

Relief checks will start from $350, depending on marital status and dependents

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

like California where driving is essential.

To help alleviate the financial burden of rising gas prices and inflation, Governor Gavin Newsom and ANYBODY who has had to commute by car over the state legislators have agreed to grant as much as last five months knows that the skyrocketing price of $1,050 to millions of Californians.

As part of a $300 billion budget deal that was gas has been a major hindrance, especially in places

DUARTE Mayor Pro Tem Tzeitel ParasCaracci has died after nearly a three-year battle against lung cancer, the city announced on Monday, June 27.

Paras-Caracci, 49, passed away from stage 4 lung cancer at home on Saturday, June 25, surrounded by family.

She became the first Filipino American elected to the Duarte City Council in 2001.

She served as the city’s mayor four times — in 2006, 2011, 2015 and 2019. In office for over two decades, she was considered the longest serving Filipino American elected official in the U.S. “We have suffered a huge loss in our city and I am profoundly saddened as Tzeitel was an immensely capable member of our Council, as well as a great personal friend to me, as well as many others. Her smile and energy were infectious, and it was an honor to serve on Council with her,” said Mayor Margaret Finlay in a statement. “On behalf of the

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Doctors discuss coronavirus vaccine authorization for kids 5 years old and younger

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

 PAGE 4

Tzeitel Paras-Caracci, Fil-Am mayor pro tem of Duarte, dies after cancer battle

announced on Sunday, June 26, the three-tiered program is estimated to benefit 17.4 million taxpayers in the state with lower- and middle-income households benefitting the most.

Individuals who make less than $75,000 a year

ALL SET. Workers prepare the National Museum for the June 30 presidential inauguration of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) assured the peaceful and orderly conduct of president-elect Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.’s inauguration, saying all hands are on deck for the logistical and security preparations.

Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales

AFTER more than a year of clinical trials, children in the United States between the ages of 6 months and 4 years old are now permitted to receive the COVID vaccine, nearly closing the gap between the unvaccinated and vaccinated.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) signed off on vaccines for young children last week, one day after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced three new authorizations regarding coronavirus vaccines.

Specifically, the FDA approved Pfizer shots for children between 6 months and 4 years old; Moderna shots for children between 6 months and 5 years old; and Moderna shots for children between 6 and 17 years old. (Previously, Pfizer was the only option for the latter age bracket.)

According to Moderna, the company’s vaccine for 6-month-olds to 5-year-olds will have a quarter of the strength of the adult dose and should be administered in

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Philippine SEC has upheld order to shut down Rappler, says Ressa

by KRISTINE JOY

Philstar.com

PATAG

MANILA — The Securities and Exchange Commission has upheld its 2018 decision to order the shutdown of news company Rappler Inc, its CEO and veteran journalist Maria Ressa said.

In a statement made at the East West Center conference, Ressa said the SEC “affirmed its earlier decision to revoke the certificates of incorporation of Rappler Inc. and Rappler Holdings Corporation (RHC).”

“We were notified by our lawyers of this ruling that effectively confirmed the shut down of Rappler,” she added.

The order is dated June 28, but a copy of it has yet to be made public.

Ressa, who was speaking at the conference said they will appeal the decision, especially that the “proceedings were highly irregular.”

The EWC, which is holding its conference abroad, shared Rappler’s Vice President Leni Robredo statement on its Twitter account. Rappler

Philstar.com photo

Despite difficulties under Supreme Court: Bongbong Marcos qualified to be elected to office Duterte, Robredo says no regrets  PAGE 2

by KRIXIA

 PAGE 7

SUBINGSUBING, MARLON RAMOS

by PIA LEE

Inquirer.net

MANILA — The “gods of Padre Faura” have cleared the way for Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s inauguration as the 17th president of the Philippines.

Voting 13-0 with two abstentions, the Supreme Court threw out the legal challenges to Marcos Jr.’s presidential candidacy, delivering a blow to the victims of rights violations during the regime of his father, the late deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

Lawyer Howard Calleja (second from left), former lawmaker Satur Ocampo (second from right), The high court issued the and martial law survivors file a petition for certiorari to appeal the decision of the Commission on Elections en banc dismissing the disqualification petition against Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in this decision during its weekly May 18 file photo.

Inquirer.net photo by Richard Reyes en banc session on Tuesday,

June 28, or two days before Marcos Jr. is sworn in. Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo has accepted the invitation to administer the president-elect’s oath of office in a ceremony at the National Museum.

The justices upheld the resolution of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) dismissing two petitions separately filed by martial law survivors and rights activists seeking Marcos Jr.’s disqualification on the basis of his tax evasion conviction in 1995.

Reacting to the tribunal’s vote,

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BRAGO Philstar.com

MANILA — Despite the difficulties she went through due to her political differences with President Duterte, Vice President Leni Robredo on Tuesday, June 28 said she has no regrets.

During the final episode of her weekly radio program “BISErbisyong Leni” on dzXL, Robredo said the hardships and not being allies of the President motivated her and her team “to look for ways and become better.”

“All the difficulties given

to us, those were actually the things that made us better. We learned to look for ways and accomplish our goals. And to my mind, those made us perform better. Because when it’s hard, you find ways to do your work well,” Robredo said in Filipino.

Robredo was the top target and biggest victim of disinformation even after the May 9 elections, reports said.

Admitting her office suffered much since 2016, Robredo refused to say what her team went through. “For us, the difficulties were blessings,” she said.

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JULY 1-7, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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From the Front Page

New proposal may grant...

PAGE 1 and couples who jointly make less than $150,000 a year would get $350 per taxpayer. An extra $350 would be granted for each dependent.

Individuals who make less than $125,000 a year and couples who jointly make less than $250,000 a year would get $250 each, plus any dependents.

The money will be distributed as soon as the governor and state leaders reach an agreement over the 2022-2023 state budget, which is expected to happen

before the start of the new fiscal year on July 1.

“California’s budget addresses the state’s most pressing needs, and prioritizes getting dollars back into the pockets of millions of Californians who are grappling with global inflation and rising prices of everything from gas to groceries,” Newsom, California Senate President Pro Temp Toni Atkins, and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said in a joint statement.

Currently, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded

gasoline in California is $6.44, much higher than the national average of $4.93 per gallon.

Newsom, who is running for reelection in November, previously proposed sending money to registered vehicle owners while lawmakers argued it should be directed to those who file taxes.

Republicans in the state have argued for temporarily suspending the statewide gas tax, but the Democratic-led state legislature argues it would not be a significant enough benefit to drivers. g

Tzeitel Paras-Caracci, Fil-Am mayor pro tem...

PAGE 1 Council and City Staff, we express our condolences to her family and offer our full support in this time of need.”

Paras-Caracci also served on the National League of Cities Board of Directors and the League of California Cities Board. She was most recently the president of Asian Pacific American Municipal Officials (APAMO). She was also a Director for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, a Governing Board Member of Foothill Transit, and a board member of the Duarte Community Coordinating Council.

Named after the eldest daughter from the Broadway musical “Fiddler on the Roof,” ParasCaracci was born in Quezon City, Philippines on August 8, 1972.

Her family migrated to Los Angeles in 1975 and settled in Duarte in 1985. She graduated from Duarte High School in 1989 and went on to graduate from Woodbury University in Burbank, before returning home to the city that she loved. In 2003, she and her husband K.C. purchased a home in Duarte, shortly after being married in Duarte’s Royal Oaks Park, according to the obituary on the city’s site.

Paras-Caracci leaves behind a legacy of passion and commitment for the city she loved and led the way for fellow Filipino Americans serving in local public office.

Filipino American local elected officials from Southern California issued a joint statement honoring Paras-Caracci as a “great trailblazer and community leader.”

“She served as an inspiration to her city and the Filipino American community. Her enthusiastic desire to serve others was inspirational to all of us. We will miss her as our fellow kababayan, but her legacy will live on. Our deepest condolences to the Paras-Caracci family and the City of Duarte,” the group said, represented by current Fil-Am officials Artesia Mayor Melissa Ramoso, Lakewood Vice Mayor Ariel Pe, Bellflower Mayor Pro Tem

Duarte Mayor Pro Tem Tzeitel Paras-Caracci (1972-2022)

Sonny Santa Ines, Sierra Madre Councilmember Rachelle Arizmendi, Cerritos Councilmember Frank Aurelio Yokoyama, West Covina Councilmember Letty Lopez-Viado, Carson Councilmember Arleen Bocatija Rojas, South Pasadena Councilmember Evelyn Zneimer and Cerritos Councilmember Lynda Johnson. Retired officials, such as Mark Pulido, Dr. Victor Manalo, Thomas Small and Marissa CastroSalvati, also signed the statement.

Paras-Caracci is survived by her parents, Lino and Russel Paras, her husband, K.C. Caracci, stepdaughter Dr. Blake Caracci, and their son, Jack Russell, her brothers Bertrand and John Paul George and their wives.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking those that wish to honor Paras-Caracci to donate to the City of Hope at cityofhope.org/giving/give-honoror-memory. A memorial service is slated to be announced at a later date. (AJPress)

Doctors discuss coronavirus vaccine authorization...

PAGE 1

two doses one month apart.

Pfizer’s vaccine for 6-montholds to 4-year-olds is about one-tenth of the adult version’s strength takes three shots; the second shot is administered 21 days after the first, and the third is given 60 days after the second, according to the company.

As of press time, vaccinations for this age group have already begun across the country. As was the case with all prior vaccinations, every age-eligible child — regardless of immigration or insurance status — may receive their shots, is permitted to receive their free-of-cost shots.

California, which has been a leader in vaccinations since they were publicly made available, has 400,000 doses to distribute to this age group currently, but the state recently purchased more to cater to the 2.2 million children in this age bracket.

Parents and families who are still skeptical over the vaccine’s safety, particularly with younger children, may want to consider the alternative to not getting the vaccine, said Dr. Lucia Abascal of the California Dept. of Public Health.

“The decision to not vaccinate is the decision to get the COVID virus,” Abscal said in a press

conference on Thursday, June 23.

She added that although “[t] here’s no predicting how severe that will be,” if you take “a chance that it will be mild, just know that one in five children [hospitalized for COVID] end up in the intensive care unit.”

According to the latest metrics, COVID is the fifth-leading cause of death among children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old, and it is the fourth-leading cause for infants younger than 1 year old.

Even though prior COVID infections provides some immunity for the future, Abascal said that immunity is less than that which is provided by vaccines.

“There’s this idea that the omicron variant is milder, but within this age group, when the omicron variant started surging, there were record hospitalizations,” Abascal added.

“That misconception that kids are safe, that nothing happens to kids, is wrong. We have more and more evidence that kids are at an acute risk [and] can suffer consequences, such as multiinflammatory syndrome or long COVID.” Pharmacies are prohibited from administering vaccines to anyone younger than 3 years old, per federal law, but parents and guardians can visit https://myturn.

ca.gov/ to find a clinic accepting infants and toddlers if they don’t have a primary care doctor.

“This vaccine is going to be the most heavily studied vaccine in history,” noted Dr. Jennifer Miller of East Bay Pediatrics. “They’ve been properly tested and vetted.

The production didn’t cut any corners.”

Miller added that the vaccine adds extra protection as children are slowly gaining back their freedom to socialize and participate in school and community activities.

Parents may be fearful of the vaccine side effects, but Miller warned that the physical side effects from the COVID vaccine are nothing compared to actually contracting COVID.” She said, “I try to remind [parents] t hat we’re all in this together. Getting our children vaccinated helps us all and improves the health of our community.”

According to the latest data provided by the California Dept. of Public Health, about 36% of all 5 to 11-year-olds — who were given the OK to get the Covid vaccine in November 2021 — have been vaccinated so far. Across all age groups, nearly 79% of all eligible Californians have received at least one dose of the vaccine. g

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5 things to know now that the US Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade ruling

by Victoria

Knight and rachana Pradhan and Julie roVner

THE Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization dramatically and rapidly alters the landscape of abortion access in the U.S. The court on June 24 ruled 6-3 to uphold a Mississippi law that would ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, but also to overturn the nearly half-century precedent set in Roe v. Wade that guaranteed the constitutional right to an abortion. With the Dobbs decision, states have the ability to set their own restrictions, so where people live will determine their level of access to abortion.

The majority opinion, written

by Justice Samuel Alito, stated that “the Constitution does not confer a right to abortion; Roe and Casey [Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v.

Casey, 1992] are overruled; and the authority to regulate abortion is returned to the people and their elected representatives.”

Kaiser Health News

Almost immediately after the decision was released, protests and celebrations outside the court and across the country began — highlighting the patchwork of laws and restrictions that now will take effect. State officials from conservative states said they would move quickly to restrict abortion, while in other states, some officials pledged to keep the right to access.

Here are five key points that will affect access to abortion.

1. Where is abortion still legal?

The Supreme Court ruling means access to abortion will, very shortly, be highly uneven.

Sixteen states plus the District of Columbia have laws that protect the right to abortion. In two other states, courts have ruled that the state constitution establishes that right. Those states are concentrated on the East and West coasts.

On the other end of the spectrum, 13 states have “trigger” laws that would quickly ban nearly all abortions, and at least a half-dozen moved Friday to implement them, including Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and South Dakota. Four more have pre-Roe bans that would again be in effect. Three other states have laws on the books that will ban abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy.

Access to abortion is likely to evolve in other states, too.

Kansas and Montana, which are among the states where courts have ruled that the state constitution guarantees the right to abortion, could see rollbacks in those protections through a ballot measure in Kansas and a legal challenge by the Montana attorney general. In at least eight states, the right to abortion isn’t explicitly protected or prohibited by state law. u PAGE 5

The Robby Poblete Foundation's Art of Peace program uses materials from guns collected from the gun buyback program, along with confiscated firearms from throughout the state by law enforcement agencies, to transform weapons of destruction into instruments of hope through art.

Photo courtesy of Pati Navalta

Fil-Am-led nonprofit seeks to reduce gun violence...

PAGE 1

local government officials of Richmond, Virginia to hold the city’s first-ever gun buyback initiative.

“Just recently, we have received a call from the mayor’s office in Richmond, Virginia which we were surprised because they said they want to hold their very first gun buyback in the city’s history and they really liked the fact that we work with law enforcement agencies and turn the guns into art,” Navalta said.

Aside from Richmond, Virginia, RPF’s programs have been adopted and implemented in Vallejo, Oakland, Solano, Alameda, Contra Costa and San Francisco counties in California, as well as in Augusta, Georgia.

Through these numerous gun buybacks, the foundation has succeeded in getting nearly 2,000 firearms out of circulation — many of which were assault weapons.

“In this gun buyback program, we have been partnering with different law enforcement agencies. We have gun buyback so people who no longer want will have a safe place to surrender their weapon and in exchange, we give them gift cards. What’s different about what we do is that after we get the gun, we have them dismantled, and then we put them in the hands of artists to turn them into sculptures (under the Art of Peace program),” she said, explaining how their programs work.

She said so far, about 30 pieces of art have been made from the firearms that they have accumulated through their gun buyback program and commissioned over 50 artists from different cities.

“Each of those exhibits (for Art of Peace) had been so powerful.

People crying, parents who have lost their children and have died from gun violence coming.

People who are even against what we stand for, coming and protested but were being drawn in by art that was created by it. I think that’s the difference between just talking about gun violence which becomes very political as opposed to creating art, to talk about it because if you just talk about gun violence, it is very political. But if you enter the conversation through art, it becomes very human. People are moved by what they see. People are touched and when you open the heart, then it starts to open the mind a little bit more,” she said.

The goal of the Art of Peace project, Navalta said, is “not only to forever transform these weapons into pieces of art but also to touch people so we could have an open and safe conversation about the impact of gun violence.”

Navalta, a former journalist, said they are eyeing to partner with other cities like Los Angeles and Chicago to implement the RPF programs.

According to Navalta, the RPF

is keeping at least one art piece from each city where the exhibit is being held. They also auction off some of the art pieces to make their programs sustainable. In San Francisco, the Warriors Community Foundation of the Golden State Warriors bought one of the art pieces as they have been very vocal in supporting anti-gun violence efforts. It was unveiled with the Warriors this past June.

“At the end of the exhibit, what we do is to auction each of the pieces and whatever money we make from that gun buyback goes to the next gun buyback. So this is a program that is meant to keep going. Whatever we get in terms of art goes straight back to the next gun buyback which produces the material for the next Art of Peace so it keeps going,” she said.

In the next couple of years, Navalta said they are considering holding a national exhibit to showcase all of the art pieces they have collected.

For the vocational program, on the other hand, Navalta said the RPF has given away more than $40,000 in vocational scholarships to members of the reentry and formerly unhoused populations and has seen a 100% success rate in job placement.

“There is this father and son who entered our vocational program, who are both homeless.

We put them to an apprentice job and they now both have their u PAGE 5

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Fil-Am-led nonprofit seeks to reduce gun violence... Supreme Court: Bongbong Marcos qualified to...

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own apartment and have goodpaying jobs” she recalled, noting that there are about 30 to 40 who have been placed in jobs under RPF’s vocational program.

“My son, at the time he was killed, was learning to weld so what we thought we would do was to create career pathways for people who are most vulnerable, like people who are just getting out of prison or ex-offenders, people who are homeless, people who are recovering drug addict.

We help them find careers in the building trade. We pay for their boots, and their books and their tools and union dues to learn the trade. And we follow them all the way to job placements,” she said.

Recently, RPF also got a Reentry Through the Arts grant from the state-run California Arts Council (CAC) worth $45,000.

The grant will be implemented starting September this year and to be completed within one year. CAC supports local arts infrastructure and programming statewide through grants, programs and services.

“With that grant, we can work for the reentry population on our Art of Peace project. These are ex-offenders who are coming out. We are going to pair them with artists so they can create pieces of art with the dismantled gun together and if they like the work then we’re gonna put them in our vocational program so they could learn how to work with metal and then place them in jobs,” Navalta said.

With all these efforts being pushed forward, Navalta admitted there are still a lot of things that need to be done, particularly in terms of putting in place permanent long-term solutions to curb gun violence in the country.

“Unfortunately, you can drive to a lot of cities throughout the country and you can see signs for a gun buyback but at the same time, you also see signs for gun shows. So, for every gun we take off the street, there are hundreds put right back. Our work will never end. There’s no magic number that by the time, we take 10,000 guns off the street, the problem will be solved, it won’t be solved. There is a problem in America: guns. We are just a small nonprofit doing what little we can, but it would never be enough until there is true change in legislation,” she said.

Navalta is also urging U.S. lawmakers to come up with concrete solutions that would take all these unwarranted firearms off the streets.

“It is our hope that this time, there would be some kind of resolution here. And I think, we

Pati Navalta, a longtime journalist, began The Robby Poblete Foundation in 2017, which pushes for a gun buyback program and turns the metal into art. The foundation was created following the death of her son Robby, who was killed by gun violence in the Bay Area.

Pati Navalta (middle) with her children Robby and Julie.

have to be realistic...For me, I am doing with this,” she said.

Gatdula-Arevalo/ the biggest thing is banning (Donnabelle assault weapons, changing the AJPress) age limit of people who can buy guns and being more rigorous on background checks. I’m sure there will be some kind of compromises made but we can not continue going on without something,” she said.

Recently, President Joe Biden signed a gun control bill — the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act — after it was passed in both the House and Senate.

Navalta also called on the Filipino American community to take an active part in this endeavor calling for more gun reform.

“Just to let the Filipino community know that there are Filipinos within the community who are trying to commit change in terms of gun violence...This is just a very personal story to me and...a lot of times in our community, we don’t want to talk about the tragedy that happened to us but if we could find a way to transform that tragedy into something that could help people, I think we should take that opportunity and that’s what

5 things to know now that the US Supreme Court has...

PAGE 4

And in Michigan, a 1931 state law bans nearly all abortions, but its enforcement was temporarily suspended by a May court decision. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, a Democrat, has said she will not enforce the law, but questions remain about whether that would also be the case for local prosecutors.

As was the case before the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe decision, people seeking abortion care will also be subject to a variety of restrictions even in states where the procedure is still legal. They include gestational limits outlining the maximum point in pregnancy that someone can obtain an abortion, requirements that patients receive counseling beforehand, waiting periods, and parental notification rules for minors.

2. What can the Biden administration do?

President Joe Biden has said his administration is looking into executive actions to counteract the impact of the ruling. In remarks after the decision, Biden said that it was a “sad day” and that, without Roe, “the health and life of women in this nation is now at risk.”

But in short, without a new law from Congress, he has limited options.

Supporters of abortion rights and Democratic lawmakers in Congress have pushed the administration to make it easier for women to obtain medication abortion, which is available up to 10 weeks of pregnancy and involves taking two pills, assessing whether services could be provided on federal property even in states that ban the procedure, and bolstering digital privacy to protect patients.

Medication abortion has become an increasingly large share of total abortions provided in the U.S. According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights, the pills accounted for more than half of all abortions in 2020, the first

Photos courtesy of Pati Navalta

year medication provided the majority.

Under the Biden administration, the FDA has already lifted one major restriction. Now, patients can receive mifepristone, the first drug used in the series, by mail. Mary Ziegler, a professor at the University of CaliforniaDavis School of Law and an abortion legal historian, said that, even as conservative states move to curtail access to medication abortion, the Biden administration could argue that the FDA’s rules and guidelines on mifepristone preempt any state laws that criminalize that method. Attorney General Merrick Garland took this position in a statement he released shortly after the decision was announced: “The FDA has approved the use of the medication Mifepristone. States may not ban Mifepristone based on disagreement with the FDA’s expert judgment about its safety and efficacy.” Biden reinforced that message in his remarks.

In comments before the justices’ decision was announced, Zeigler said arguing this position is “the biggest thing they could do.” Still, the FDA approach is uncertain, both legally and because a future Republican administration could easily reverse any action that Biden officials take. “If it worked it wouldn’t be permanent, and it may not work,” she added.

The Biden administration could also expand the number of pharmacies that can dispense the medication.

3. Will people in states where abortion is illegal be able to access medication abortion?

For now, as a result of the Dobbs decision, states that ban abortions are likely to set limitations or bans on abortion pills as well. But some advocates note that people in those states still may be able to obtain abortion pills and perform a “self-managed” abortion at home, which carries some additional risk if the woman has a complication (though u PAGE 7

PAGE 1 playwright-activist Bonifacio Ilagan said resistance to what he called the erosion of law in the country would continue.

Ilagan, who heads the Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law, one of the petitioners, said he and his colleagues were not “surprised that the high court has opted to swim with the tide of acquiescence to a Marcos rehabilitation, notwithstanding all the historical distortions and false narratives that made the dictator’s son delude the people.”

Still, Ilagan said, it was “difficult to comprehend that the tribunal decided on merit that Marcos Jr. did not disobey the law by wilfully not paying taxes, did not commit moral turpitude, and could go scot-free, being now above the law.”

House Assistant Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro told the Inquirer that despite the “not surprising” decision, “we still hope that the Supreme Court would uphold its independence and initiative, especially on issues and cases involving human rights, welfare of consumers, and our country’s sovereignty.”

In a statement released by its Public Information Office (PIO), the Supreme Court said “the exercise of its power to decide the present controversy led [it] to no other conclusion but that respondent Marcos Jr. is qualified to run for and be elected to public office.”

“Likewise, his COC (certificate of candidacy), being valid and in accord with the pertinent

law, was rightfully upheld by the Comelec,” it said.

The high court did not provide a copy of the decision written by Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda.

The PIO said it would post a full copy of the decision on the tribunal’s official website upon receipt of the document from the Office of the Clerk of Court En Banc.

It said Associate Justices Antonio Kho and Henri Jean Paul Inting, both appointees of President Rodrigo Duterte, did not take part in the deliberations.

Kho served as elections commissioner prior to his appointment to the high court. Inting is the brother of Comelec Commissioner Socorro Inting, who voted to junk the disqualification petition against Marcos Jr. George Briones, general counsel of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas, Marcos Jr.’s party, praised Justice Zalameda for the “learned decision that gained the unanimous vote” of the high court.

“The decision vindicates the position of the party that [candidate] Marcos was under no disqualification to run for president and therefore he did not lie in his [COC],” Briones said in a statement.

Petitioners On May 17, rights advocates and martial law victims petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene in the Comelec’s supposed error in allowing Marcos Jr. to run for president.

The petitioners, led by Fr. Christian Buenafe of the Task Force Detainees of the

Philippines and Fides Lim of Kapatid-Families and Friends of Political Prisoners, argued that the guilty verdict handed down on Marcos Jr. by a Quezon City court perpetually barred him from holding public office.

Marcos Jr.’s conviction of failure to pay taxes and file income tax returns from 1982 to 1985 when he was vice governor and later governor of Ilocos Norte was upheld by the Court of Appeals in 1997.

The petitioners said his “putative election victory cannot subsequently cure his ineligibility.”

“Elections are more than just a numbers game such that an election victory cannot bypass election eligibility requirements,” they said. “The balance must always tilt in favor of upholding the rule of law.”

Another suit was filed at the high court on May 18 by another group of martial law survivors including former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and former Gabriela Rep. Liza Maza, saying that Vice President Leni Robredo, who lost to Marcos Jr. by nearly 16 million votes, was the rightful successor of President Duterte.

‘Shades of martial law’ According to the petitioners, Marcos Jr. was “already disqualified” even before he filed his COC. “Simply put, he should not have been allowed to run for public office to begin with,” they said, adding: “Considering that the votes cast in favor of a disqualified candidate are invalid, the winner, therefore, is the candidate who u PAGE 7

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Stressed out

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JOB-related stress is common worldwide, and many countries have reported elevated stress levels among workers during the COVID pandemic. There is additional cause for worry in the Philippines, however, as an international survey showed that in Southeast Asia, Filipinos are the most stressed at work.

The 2022 State of the Global Workplace Report prepared by analytics firm Gallup showed stress among workers worldwide hitting another record high last year compared to the start of the pandemic in 2021. While worry, sadness and anger among workers declined last year from their all-time high in 2020, the global levels remained higher than before the pandemic.

Stress among Filipino workers is down by three points, but the 50 percent in the 2022 survey is higher than the global average, and the highest within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Thailand followed the Philippines with 41 percent of workers reporting stress. The figure was 38 percent in Cambodia, 37 percent in Myanmar, 35 in Vietnam, 34 in Singapore, 32 in Laos, 27 in Malaysia and 20 percent in Indonesia.

The Gallup Work Poll was conducted from 2021 to early 2022. Reacting to the report, organized labor said low wages and contractual work were the top causes of stress among Filipino workers. The Federation of Free Workers said the stress builds up as the six-month deadline for automatic regularization approaches.

While pandemic restrictions have been relaxed in the Philippines, workers still face the risk of catching COVID and infecting other members of the household.

Workers must also contend anew with pre-pandemic causes of stress, such as long hours stuck in traffic. The continuing fuel price surge, which is keeping many public utility vehicles off the streets, has also made commuting a nightmare.

Worldwide, healthcare workers have been among the most stressed in the past two years.

Decades before the pandemic, the World Health Organization was already urging governments, educators and other professionals as well as civic groups to implement measures to prevent mental, neurological and psychosocial disorders among HCWs. The Philippines has passed Republic Act 11036, the Mental Health Act, with the implementing rules and regulations released in January 2019.

The 2022 Global Workplace Report highlights the importance of fully implementing the law.

Reducing stress in the workplace enhances productivity and is critical in post-pandemic economic recovery. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Facts and fantasies on Marcos’ estate tax

With Due Respect ARTEMIO V. PANGANIBAN INCOMING Commissioner Lilia Guillermo of the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) was put on the spot by TV journalists with hard questions on what she intended to do with the much-ballyhooed tax liability of the estate of former president Ferdinand E. Marcos that has allegedly ballooned to over P203 billion from the P23 billion originally assessed by the BIR. AT THE START, THE LADY ANSWERED PRUDENTLY that she needed to see the “correct data” first before giving a definitive commitment.

When pressed further on what she would tell Presidentelect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos II (BBM), given that the Supreme Court decision on the matter had become final and executory, she replied she would respectfully ask

him, “P’wede ba maging role model kayo?” (Can you be a role model?) This reply was bandied by the broadsheets on June 23 and went viral on social media.

Since then, a lot of facts and fantasies have been written and aired about the matter.

But what are the “correct data” that are known, or publicly knowable, by accessing the e-library of the Supreme Court and reading the relevant Court of Appeals (CA) decision? Here are some undisputed facts therefrom: On Sept. 29, 1989, former president Marcos died in Honolulu, Hawaii, US. On June 27, 1990, the BIR created a “Special Tax Audit Team … to conduct investigations … of the tax liabilities … of the late president, as well as that of his family, associates and ‘cronies.’”

The investigation disclosed that the Marcoses failed to file a written notice of his death, an estate tax return (ETR), and

income tax returns (ITRs) for 1982-1986 “all in violation of the National Internal Revenue Code (NIRC).” Thus, the BIR “caused the preparation and filing” of the ETR, the ITR “of the spouses Marcos for the years 1985 to 1986,” and the ITR of BBM for 1982-1985.

On July 26, 1991, the BIR issued a deficiency estate tax assessment of over P23 billion; deficiency income tax assessments against the spouses Marcos of P149,000 and P184,000 for the years 1985 and 1986 respectively; and deficiency income tax assessment against BBM of P258.70, P9,386.40, P4,388.30, and P6,376.60 for 1982-1985. Copies of these assessments were sent to their “last known addresses” in San Juan City in 1991; thereafter in 1992, at the office of BBM at the House of Representatives; and finally, a copy to the then lawyer of the estate, the late Dean Antonio Coronel, “inviting Mrs. [Imelda] Marcos to a conference … but to no

avail.”

The deficiency tax assessments were not administratively protested within 30 days from their service as provided by the NIRC. On various dates in 1993, the BIR issued several notices of levy on the real estate properties of the Marcoses to satisfy the estate and income tax assessments. Copies of these notices were furnished Mrs. Marcos, BBM, and their “counsel of record … De Borja, Medialdea, Ata, Bello, Guevarra, and Serapio Law Office.”

A public auction of some levied properties “took place on July 5, 1993. There being no bidder, the lots were declared forfeited in favor of the government.”

Petitioner BBM filed suit in the CA on June 25, 1993, contesting the above BIR actions. Failing to obtain relief in the CA, BBM, as administrator of his father’s estate, and Mrs. Marcos elevated the suit to the

Supreme Court.

IN MARCOS II V. COURT OF APPEALS (June 5, 1997), the highest court dismissed the appeal holding thus: “Apart from failing to file the required [ETR] within the time required … petitioner and the other heirs never questioned the assessments served upon them, allowing the same to lapse into finality, and prompting the BIR to collect the said taxes by levying upon the properties left by President Marcos … [A] ssessments [of the BIR] are presumed correct and made in good faith. The taxpayer has the duty of proving otherwise … The course of action taken by petitioner reflects his disregard or even repugnance of the established institutions for governance in the scheme of a well-ordered society.”

This decision, rendered 25 years ago by the Court’s Second Division, was penned

by Justice Justo P. Torres Jr. and concurred in unanimously

by Justices Florenz D. Regalado (Division chair), Flerida Ruth

P. Romero, Reynato S. Puno, and Vicente V. Mendoza.

Significantly, the petitioner was named “Ferdinand R. Marcos II”—not Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.—in the title of the decision and, consistently, in its textual content.

FROM THESE FACTS, THESE QUESTIONS MAY BE ASKED: How much has the BIR collected from the levy and auction sale of the Marcos properties? How much remains to be collected? How was the P23 billion computed? How did it balloon to P203 billion?

Apart from those already levied and sold at public auction, what other properties does the Marcos estate have to satisfy the original assessment and balloon? What actions, if any, will the BIR undertake to collect these? Is it open to a compromise on the balloon and on the original assessment?

Let’s await BIR’s answers.

(Inquirer.net) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily

President-cum-Agri chief executive

Commonsense

MARICHU VILLANUEVA TAKING the bull by the horn idiomatically speaking could best describe how to address the labyrinthine problems besetting Philippine agriculture. Cattle raising, by the way, is a subsector of the livestock industry in our country’s agriculture. Levity aside, incoming President-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM) has obviously already braced self when he assumes in concurrent capacity as the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) effective this June 30.

It is on the same day that President Rodrigo Duterte steps down from office to give way to his duly elected successor at Malacañang Palace. In his press conference last week, PBBM announced he would fill in the Agriculture portfolio initially from day one of his administration.

PBBM, however, did not fix a timetable for how long he will stay on as President-cumAgriculture Secretary.

Before his administration could even begin, however, rabid critics already questioned

via social media PBBM’s motives in taking over the DA post. In particular, fears were foisted on how the P75billion coco levy fund would be handled by the incoming President-cum-Agriculture Secretary. They based their suspicions to the fact that the Agriculture Secretary sits as ex officio chairman of the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), an agency attached to the DA. Had they read first Republic Act (RA) 115421, or the Coconut Farmers and Industry Trust Fund (CFITF) Act signed into law by President Duterte in February 2019, they would find their suspicions were unfounded. For sure, PBBM would know by now from his eldest sister—Senator Imee Marcos, one of the coauthors of RA 115421. This law mandated an inter-agency body to oversee the coco levy trust funds generated from taxes collected from coconut farmers decades ago.

Section 10 of this law created the Trust Fund Management Committee composed of the Department of Finance (DOF); the Department of Budget and Management (DBM); and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

It was tasked in setting the investment strategy of the CFITF. Section 11 of the same law designated the DOF as the trust fund manager. Both the DA and the PCA were not even included.

This law mandated that the use of the trust fund will be based on a coconut industry development plan (CFIDP) prepared by the PCA in consultation with coconut farmers and their organizations, industry associations, civil society groups and government agencies. It was only last June 9 when President Duterte issued Executive Order (EO) 172 to implement the CFIDP. Thus, these previously sequestered coco levy funds would follow the RA 11542 timetable mandating the release of these trust funds in tranches from the Treasury Bureau: P10 billion in the first year; P10 billion in the second year; P15 billion in the third year; P15 billion in the fourth year; and P25 billion in the fifth year. The trust fund will be maintained for 50 years.

Incidentally, the PCA was previously among the attached agencies that were carved out of the DA by the late president Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III,

or PNoy for short. The PCA, along with National Food Authority (NFA); the National Irrigation Authority (NIA); the Food Terminal Inc. (FTI) were all transferred to the new office created for PNoy’s political ally—Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan—in May 2014. Pangilinan, who was then at the end of his second term at the Senate, was appointed as Presidential Adviser on Food Security and Agriculture Modernization (PAFSAM).

When President Duterte took over the helm of government in June 2016, all these agencies, except FTI, were restored one after the other back to the DA. Outgoing DA Secretary William Dar disclosed during our Kapihan sa Manila Bay virtual news forum last Wednesday that the NIA was transferred back to the DA just two months ago.

President Duterte appointed Dar to his Cabinet in August 2019. Taking over the helm of the DA in the second half of the Duterte administration, Dar groused about a lot of “political accommodations” during the last three years he had to deal within the DA bureaucracy he inherited. Dar further grumbled the DA has become

the punching bag over the controversial Rice Tariffication Law (RTL).

Offhand, Dar admitted some sums of the annual P10 billion of the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) were diverted as “ayuda” pay out to farmers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The RTL mandated that the annual tariff revenues from rice imports in excess of P10 billion shall be distributed as cash assistance to small rice farmers tilling two hectares of land and below until 2024.

Dar reminded lawmakers that RA 11598, or the RTL, was signed into law on Feb.14, 2019 replacing the rice import quantitative restrictions with tariffs in a six-year period.

The same law provided for a congressional review of the RTL by the middle of its implementing period.

The timing of this review, he noted, falls in the laps of the incoming 19th Congress.

Meanwhile, Dar called out the attention of local government units (LGUs), which by operations of the Local Government Code among other things devolved as many as 17,000 DA personnel as agricultural extension officers

down to the LGUs. Moreover, Dar pointed out, it also authorized LGUs to procure their own rice buffer stock.

Starting this year, he noted, the LGUs will have so much funds in their hands with the implementation of the 2018 “Mandanas ruling” of the Supreme Court (SC) on the internal revenue allotments (IRA). The IRAs of the LGUs will increase by as much as P959 billion this year and much more when fully implemented by 2024.

“It’s common sense for LGUs lacking rice to do their own buffer stocking and invest some of their IRAs for 60-day buffer stock,” Dar pointed out.

Having served for three terms as Ilocos Norte Governor and once as Senator, common sense is the least of worries for PBBM. The President-cumAgriculture Secretary chief executive could whip the LGUs to the directions he wants to lead the country within the next six years of his administration.

(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.

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Philippine SEC has upheld order to...

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meanwhile has yet to release its statement to Philippine media.

In a statement, the SEC said the latest order against the company "merely puts in effect its earlier decision and those of the Court of Appeals."

"The contentions raised

by Rappler and RHC have been squarely and adequately addressed by the SEC and the CA in their respective decisions, resolutions and orders, including the latest issuance from the Commission," corporate regulators said in a statement.

‘Business as usual’ The case stemmed from the SEC’s order to cancel the certificate of incorporation of the online news site's operator and Omidyar Network's PDR — a financial instrument that gives foreign investors passive economic interest in a Philippine company — in January 2018.

The regulatory body held that the company allegedly violated

the constitutional and statutory Foreign Equity Restriction in Mass Media.

Rappler appealed the SEC ruling before the Court of Appeals, which ordered the regulatory body to look into the effects of Omidyar’s donation.

Omidyar is a "philanthropic investment firm" founded by French-born Iranian-American billionaire Pierre Omidyar.

But, according to their lawyer Francis Lim’s update in November 2021, the SEC "submitted a report to the Court of Appeals saying it [donation] has no effect without giving us the opportunity to comment on the effect." The report was without comment from Rappler.

Lim said they also filed an appeal before the SEC panel on its report.

"It depends on how the [CA] views the SEC decision upholding the revocation, whether it’s already final and therefore cannot be revisited by the same division of the Court

Dateline USa

Rappler CEO Maria Ressa Philstar.com file photo

of Appeals," Lim said then.

Ressa, however, said it will be “business as usual at Rappler since in our view, this is not immediately executory without court approval.”

Rappler continues to operate the news site as of this story’s posting. 

Despite difficulties under Duterte, Robredo says...

PAGE 1

In December 2016, Duterte instructed Robredo to “desist” from attending Cabinet meetings, pushing her to resign as chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

In October 2019, Duterte announced that he would name Robredo as co-chair of the interagency committee on antiillegal drugs with Cabinet rank.

Robredo, an opposition leader, accepted the post, saying it would allow her to stop “unnecessarily killing.”

However, Duterte backtracked

after the vice president met with representatives of the United Nations, the Catholic Church and institutions critical of the anti-drug campaign.

Vice President’s spokesperson lawyer Barry Gutierrez said Robredo’s camp is considering taking legal action against those who spread disinformation on social media after her term of office ends on June 30.

Gutierrez said the initiative would be launched to address the proliferation of fake news and lies on social media, explaining that this kind of trend is detrimental to democracy and

public discourse.

He added that groups of lawyers are studying the filing of a lawsuit against those who continue to spread disinformation on social media platforms that host fake news.

He explained that the action to be taken is not only for Robredo, but also for other victims of disinformation on social media.

In February, University of the Philippines journalism professor Yvonne Chua said during a Senate hearing that most instances of disinformation on social media platforms were directed against Robredo. 

Supreme Court: Bongbong Marcos qualified to...

PAGE 5

received the greatest number of valid votes.”

Reaction to the high court’s ruling was generally muted as preparations for the presidential inauguration continued in full swing.

But already, according to Renato Reyes, secretary general of the activist group Bayan, there were “shades of Marcosian martial law” in the preparations, with the Philippine National Police “moving heaven and earth to deny the people their

constitutional right to protest” on Thursday.

Reyes said Bayan would continue to resist efforts toward the full restoration of the Marcoses, who were ousted in a bloodless revolt in February 1986 after 14 years of one-man rule.

“The next few years will see an intensified struggle against the Marcoses’ historical denialism as the regime works to use official platforms to erase the crimes of the dictatorship and extinguish their criminal liability,” he warned.

Specifically, Reyes said, Bayan would continue to hold Marcos Jr. to account for the abuses and crimes of the dictatorship, “including the recovery of [the family’s] ill-gotten wealth, the payment of their outstanding estate taxes, and the prosecution of their pending cases.”

“The fight for nationalism and democracy will not die with another Marcos in Malacañang,” Reyes said.

“It will burn ever brighter as the people continue to resist, organize and mobilize.” 

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 1-7, 2022

5 things to know now that the US Supreme...

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complications are very rare).

And abortion pills will still be accessible in states where abortion is allowed.

Before Roe was overturned, many states had already enacted restrictions on obtaining abortion pills, including prohibiting the pills from being sent through the mail and not allowing patients to be prescribed the medication via a telemedicine appointment. But people found workarounds — a practice that’s likely to continue.

These actions — such as traveling to neighboring states to secure the medication or having it sent to a friend’s house or a post office box in another location — could carry the risk of criminal charges, again depending on the specifics of state laws.

There is also concern among abortion rights activists that the states that outlaw abortion could go even further and criminalize traveling to another state to get an abortion, though this is an untested legal frontier and likely would be tied up in courts.

In his remarks, Biden took a hard-line stance on this question, saying that nothing in the court’s decision prevents a woman who lives in a state that bans abortion from traveling to a state that allows it. Women “must remain free to travel safely to another state to seek the care they need,” he said, adding that his administration “will defend that bedrock right.” He also noted that doctors in the states that continue to allow abortions can provide abortions to women from other jurisdictions.

4. How will this affect doctors’ ability to provide care?

In many states that ban abortions, obstetricians, gynecologists, emergency room doctors, and any type of physician that takes care of pregnant people will likely be targeted by law and could face criminal charges if they provide abortion services.

This will have a severe effect on reproductive health care, Dr. Nikki Zite, an OBGYN in Knoxville, Tennessee, recently told KHN. Tennessee’s trigger law says abortions are permissible only to prevent a death or “to prevent serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function of the pregnant woman.”

“But exactly how much risk there needs to be is not clear,” Zite said. “Different physicians practicing at different institutions

will have different interpretations of that law.”

There are also gray areas the law doesn’t address. In some very early pregnancies, the fertilized egg lodges outside the uterus — most commonly in a fallopian tube — a potentially life-threatening situation called an ectopic pregnancy. If that type of pregnancy proceeds, the woman can bleed to death.

Patients who have a miscarriage also sometimes need to take abortion medication or have dilation and curettage surgery — known as a D&C — to remove tissue that lingers inside the uterus.

“The challenge is that the treatment for an abortion and the treatment for a miscarriage are exactly the same,” Dr. Sarah Prager recently told KHN. Prager is a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington in Seattle and an expert on early pregnancy loss.

Doctors may hesitate to perform D&Cs to treat miscarriages for fear someone will accuse them of performing a covert abortion.

“Physicians shouldn’t be fearful for being criminalized for taking care of patients,” said Zite. “I think there’s going to be a myriad of unintended consequences. I think that people will lose their lives. I also think there will be people in horrible situations, like those that strongly desire to be pregnant but have a complication of the pregnancy, that will not be able to make decisions on how that pregnancy ends, and that will be a different kind of devastation.”

5. Could this ruling affect more than just abortion?

Absolutely, according to reproductive health experts.

Depending on what is determined to be an “abortion,” states could end up criminalizing — on purpose or by accident — in vitro fertilization and certain forms of birth control, and limiting the training and availability of doctors and other health care providers.

At stake is what is determined to be an abortion. Medically, abortion is the early termination of a pregnancy, by natural means — spontaneous abortion, or miscarriage — or by human intervention with medication or an invasive procedure. But when does a pregnancy begin?

Doctors say pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg implants in a woman’s uterus. But many

anti-abortion activists say it begins when a sperm and egg unite to form a zygote, which can happen several days earlier. That earlier time frame would mean that anything that interferes with the implantation of that fertilized egg, such as an IUD (intrauterine device), a common form of birth control, could be defined as an abortion. Similarly, in vitro fertilization, which involves removing a woman’s eggs, fertilizing them, and then implanting them back into the woman, could also be construed to involve abortion unless every fertilized egg was implanted.

An opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas that concurred with the decision to overturn Roe raised other questions. He suggested that the court could use the same arguments in the Dobbs case to overturn other key rulings, including those that established the rights to birth control and same-sex marriage. It was not clear that the other justices agreed, and Justice Alito, who wrote the main opinion, said he did not believe the abortion decision affected other issues.

The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists applauded the decision, terming it “momentous.” But others worry that the ruling could have a negative impact on women’s access to care in places that have or enact strict abortion laws.

Specifically, doctors and other health professionals may not want to train or practice in areas where they could be prosecuted for delivering medical care.

And this is not just theoretical.

In Texas, where abortion after six weeks’ gestation has been effectively banned since September, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine, the law “has taken a toll on clinicians’ mental health; some physicians report feeling like ‘worse doctors,’ and some are leaving the state. As a result, clinicians worry that pregnant Texans are being left without options for care and without doctors capable of providing it.”  KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

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JULY 1-7, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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Sara to invite ex-VPs to discuss security, museum

by Janvic mateo Philstar.com

MANILA — Vice presidentelect Sara Duterte will invite former vice presidents to a fellowship lunch “in the coming days” to discuss security and the planned Vice President’s Museum.

Duterte’s spokesman Reynold Munsayac said on Tuesday, June 28 there is no scheduled meeting between her and Vice President Leni Robredo before the end of the latter’s term on June 30.

“There is a plan, however, to invite all former vice presidents for a fellowship lunch in the coming days to discuss their allotted security from the VPSPG (Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group) and the planned Vice President’s Museum,” he said.

“This will depend on the interest of the former VPs and would need a common available schedule for all,” he added.

Living former vice presidents include former presidents Joseph Estrada (1992 to 1998) and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (1998 to 2001), as well as

Teofisto Guingona Jr. (2001 to 2004), Noli de Castro (2004 to 2010) and Jejomar Binay (2010 to 2016).

Robredo earlier invited Duterte to attend the general assembly of the Office of the Vice President on Monday, June 27.

The incoming vice president, however, was in Davao City to attend the oath taking of her brother and successor as mayor, Sebastian Duterte.

Duterte was in Cebu on Tuesday to attend the oath taking of Gov. Gwen Garcia and other members of her One Cebu party.

Last week, the Armed Forces of the Philippines activated the VPSPG, which replaced the Vice Presidential Security Detachment.

Duterte lauded the activation of the group, saying “it will resolve the matter of continuity in security for all vice presidents of the Philippines.”

“This AFP initiative also highlights the importance of having an independent group that will provide all Philippine vice presidents with the necessary security and protection,” she added.

The incoming vice president also lauded the “foresight” in the activation of the VPSPG, noting that it may “be expected to solve the challenges if, in future elections, the vice president and the president face the misfortune of having strained relations.”

AFP chief of staff Gen. Andres Centino on Friday, June 24 led the activation of the VPSPG and installed Lt. Col. Rene Giroy as its first group commander.

“The AFP saw it fitting to provide the Office of the Vice President a dedicated unit that shall ensure the safety and security of the second-highest elected official in the country,” said Centino.

“I am confident that the newly-designated VPSPG Commander and the rest of the officers and enlisted personnel entrusted to ensure the safety, RELIEF BOXES. Personnel from the National Capital Region Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict unload from a military truck security and welfare of the vice boxes of relief supplies from the Department of Social Welfare and Development during the Serbisyo Caravan at Baseco Compound in the city president and her family shall of Manila on Tuesday, June 28. Around 500 residents in the area benefitted from the relief distribution. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr. perform their responsibilities to the best of their abilities,” he added.

The AFP later clarified that VPSPG is not a new unit, alternatives to MANILA — Leading the presenting adding that its predecessor was never part of or under the opposition “would be very address long-time issues.

“I think being [in the] Presidential Security Group. g challenging” amid the political climate in the country, re-elected opposition isn’t just opposing anyone on administration. It’s Senator Risa Hontiveros said.

“It would be very challenging [about] presenting alternatives not just for any leader, but for the to long-time issues [and] whole opposition,” Hontiveros presenting alternatives to the told CNN Philippines’ The system itself,” she explained.

Further, Hontiveros said the Source in an interview on opposition had an accumulation Tuesday, June 28.

Marie is the first nominee of Hontiveros is the lone of hurdles, saying “some were Tingog party-list. opposition senator elected to cleared, attempted to be cleared, They are also joined by the upper chamber in the 2022 and a lot are still unfinished couple Representatives Jayjay elections. business.”

Suarez and his wife Alona in “We have an accumulation On Monday, June 27, she Quezon province, Horacio took her oath of office before of hurdles in the past decades Suansing Jr. of Sultan Kudarat Vice President Leni Robredo, and in the past few years. Some and wife Estrellita of Nueva who turned over the opposition of them we attempted to clear, Ecija, and Florencio “Bem” leadership to the senator. some we’ve been able to clear, Noel and Jaye Lacson of An “All of us in the opposition but there’s still a lot of unfinished Waray party-list and Malabon will really have to take stock of business, still a lot of loose ends District, respectively. things again [to] think about, not tied up,” said Hontiveros.

Amid these developments, ask, listen, [and] talk with Among these hurdles, she Senator Risa Hontiveros delivers a speech after re-elected Representatives Lord each other, not just within the said, is the recognition and taking her oath of office before Vice President Allan Velasco of Marinduque opposition, but within the larger compensation of human rights Leni Robredo on Monday, June 27, 2022.

Photo from Sen. Hontiveros’ office and Mikee Romero of 1Pacman citizenry [in regards to] what are victims, drawing accountability party-list, along with Loren the issues we are facing and how for “Still, the task of any corruption, territorial Legarda, have taken their oaths do we want to solve them,” she disputes, and emergence from government, any legislatures as as legislators, with Legarda added. economic recession caused by part of the government, and the returning to the Senate after opposition as part of our society The lawmaker underscored the pandemic. representing Antique for three that being in the opposition She also stressed the need is truly rebuilding and building years. is not simply “opposing” any to “rebuild and build unities” unities among our people,” In separate events, vice administration, Hontiveros ended. (Inquirer.net) but rather among people. president-elect Sara Duterte and her father, outgoing President Duterte, administered the oath to Romero, president of the 60-member strong Partylist Coalition Foundation Inc. in Congress, in Davao City.

The younger Duterte, who SOME New York banks in the financing," Locsin said. increase of 17 percent from the will be the incoming education United States had tried to corner He continued, "In fact, it is total remittances recorded in secretary of the Marcos Filipino dollar remittances on big banking that is a major 2020. administration, also attended the "fake ground" that they source of terrorist financing; Of that staggering amount, the oath-taking ceremony of can be a source of terrorist second only to drug, human and the Philippines, Locsin said, Velasco, a very close friend, financing, Foreign Affairs arms trafficking. The New York contributed $34.9 billion, held at the Marinduque Sports Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. bankers were lying again and I making our country the Complex in Boac town. g told them so." claimed. fourth largest destination for

Leading opposition will be ‘very challenging’ — Hontiveros

Husband-wife, parents-children dynasties dot 19th Congress

by Delon

Porcalla Philstar.com

MANILA — It’s a family affair in both houses of Congress.

Unpopular as it may be, husbands and wives, mothers and sons and father and daughter/siblings (or halfbrothers) have been duly elected by their constituents, and are now set to fulfill their mandates in both houses of the incoming 19th Congress.

On top of the heap are mother-and-son Senators Cynthia and Mark Villar, whose sister Camille was reelected representative of the lone district of their hometown Las Piñas, followed by siblings Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano.

Alan Peter’s wife Lani, a former congresswoman, has just returned to the Taguig City Hall as its local chief executive.

There is also the estranged half-brothers Senators Jinggoy Estrada and JV Ejercito, whose sibling rivalry has been public knowledge, not just to their San Juan constituents, but to the national consciousness.

As it is now, no less than president-elect Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. may be guilty of leading the political

dynasty himself, having his elder sister Sen. Imee Marcos and his son Sandro as a firsttime congressman of their home province Ilocos Norte.

Newly elected Sen. Raffy Tulfo also has his own family affair in the incoming Congress: his wife Jocelyn is a representative of their family party-list ACTCIS, which topped the May 9 elections and obtained three slots, and their son Ralph, representing Quezon City’s 2nd District.

There is also long-time Sen. Bong Revilla, whose entire family is into politics: actresswife Lani Mercado returns as congresswoman, their sons Jolo and Bryan will sit as nominee of the new party-list Agimat.

Raymond Democrito Mendoza of the Trade Union Congress of the Philippines was reelected, along with his daughter Samantha, who represents the South Cotabato district, whose governor is her mother, Emmylou Talino-Mendoza, a former representative.

At the House of Representatives, the husbandand-wife tandem is led by no less than incoming speaker Leyte First District Rep. Martin Romualdez, whose congresswoman-wife Yedda

Locsin bares New York banks’ attempts to corner Filipino dollar remittances

CBCP official prays for Marcos’ success by robertzon

ramirez

Philstar.com

MANILA — Days before the inauguration of presidentelect Ferdinand Marcos Jr., an official of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) extended his prayers for a successful tenure of the incoming administration.

“We, especially at Stella Maris-Philippines, pray for his stable and successful tenure.

We offer our support and services to make the Philippines rise up from poverty, partisan and problems,” Balanga Bishop and CBCP-Commission on Migrants and Itinerant People vice chairman Ruperto Santos

EMPLOYMENT

said.

Santos supports Marcos’ belief that the presidency is destiny, as he emphasized that occupying the highest position of the land is also a God-given grace for him to do what is best and beneficial for the Philippines and for the Filipino people.

He also urged Marcos to put the Lord in the center of his administration and in policy and decision-making.

“Make God first and always work according to God’s ways.

Be God’s responsible steward of his creation and God’s faithful leader of his people, leading us to peace and prosperous future and respectful and dignified

life,” he added.

Marcos is set to take his oath tomorrow as the 17th president after he garnered the highest number of votes in the May 9 elections.

In another development, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines Archbishop Charles John Brown urged the Catholic faithful nationwide to join with the Popes Day Mass today, June 29, and pray for the pontiffs immediate recovery from pain in his right knee.

“This Pope’s Day Mass will be an opportunity to pray for Pope Francis in a special way for his strength and health,” Brown said in an interview over Church-run Radyo Veritas. g

EMPLOYMENT

He disclosed this on Tuesday, June 28 during the International Day of Family Remittances which is a tribute to millions of hardworking and selfless migrant workers who have committed their lives to supporting loved ones back home.

In a speech, Locsin said the hard-earned income of overseas Filipino workers "is a vital economic lifeline that allows their families to live decent and dignified lives."

"And a major source of foreign currency that answers the needs of big business at home," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) chief stressed.

"In the UN (United Nations), the first thing I did was to smash an attempt by New York banks to corner Filipino remittances on the fake ground that they can be a source of terrorist

"This is a repeat of the same scam they tried to foist on [the] President [Corazon] Aquino in Switzerland. But I was with her and kicked their scheme aside. If there is going to be any regulation or control, it has to be Filipino and totally transparent," Locsin said.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) in February reported that OFWs remitted a record-breaking $34 billion in 2021, accounting for 8.9 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Personal remittances, which are cash or in-kind transfers between families, totaled $34.88 billion in 2021, up 5.1 percent from $33.19 billion in the previous year.

Locsin noted that in 2021, the World Bank reported a total of $605 billion in remittances, an

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remittances in 2021.

"That's the currency that buys vaccines and buoys up whatever economic activity was possible in the lockdowns," the DFA chief said.

During the outbreak of Covid-19 (Coronavirus disease 2019), remittances became even more essential as they "shielded families, communities, and entire countries from the crippling economic consequences of the public health crisis and the economic shocks that followed," he added.

"Let me thank Israel and Germany for taking the treatment of migrant workers to a new high. In fact, how they treat migrant workers became the template of a global compact on migration," Locsin said. (ManilaTimes.net)

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Young Fil-Am lawyer makes history, wins Miss Texas title

by GUS

MERCADO Contributor

ALL Filipino Americans in the State of Texas, especially in the DFW Metroplex, brimmed with pride when its very own Averie Danielle Bishop won the Miss Texas crown on Saturday, June 25. From North Texas to the Miss America stage in December this year, Averie will make history as the first Asian American woman ever to win the Miss Texas title and represent the state in the national pageant.

Averie put herself through college, earning double degrees from the prestigious Southern Methodist University (Bachelor ‘sdegree with double major in Political Science and Human Rights), and a JD law degree with a 3.9 GPA. She is a firstgeneration Filipino American, born to a Filipino immigrant

HUMANITARIAN REVALIDATION OR SURVIVOR LAW – THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Allain (left) was petitioned by his mother in 1997. He came to the U.S. as a tourist with his wife, Lorraine (center), in 2002 and overstayed. His mother passed away in 2006, which, at that point, Allain thought his mother’s petition for him was gone. What would now happen to Allain and his petition? Leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) is the attorney-of-last-hope, who guided them through the process and presented them the option to be able to acquire their green card, despite the death of the petitioner. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 3 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

Averie Danielle Bishop made history as she won the Miss Texas crown on June 25, becoming the first Asian American woman to win the title and represent the state in the Miss America pageant in Connecticut in December.

Photos courtesy of Mel Krater

mother, Marevi Sabalilang, and a fourth generation Texan, Danny Bishop. Her younger brother Teddy is in the U.S. Army.

Beneath all the successes and encomiums that have come her way, she has humanitarian blood running in her veins. She and her mom built Tulong Foundation – providing education, livelihood An excellent singer and dancer, Averie’s and scholarships to poor children stirring rendition of a song from Les in their native village in Banga, Miserables resulted in her winning the Most South Cotabato, Philippines.

Their foundation has supported Talented award in the prelims.

45 poor students, including 7 full scholars, in different colleges in their province. With funding from SMU and some friends, she worked to build potable water systems for the community and their elementary schools.

Her impressive credentials also include serving as legal intern for the president and vice president of SMU, addressing higher education policy in Third World countries, as a Ronald PAGE 10

The immigration journey that took 24 years, on an all-new Citizen Pinoy this Sunday LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel presents another brand-new success story, after he provides the latest immigration developments, as featured on his YouTube channel: US Immigration TV. After the important U.S. immigration highlights, Citizen Pinoy shares an inspiring success story on how a family persevered, despite the many bumps along their immigration journey.

Allain was petitioned by his mother in 1997.

Due to certain circumstances, Allain and his family entered the U.S. in 2002, but overstayed.

Meanwhile, Allain’s mother, his petitioner, passed away in 2006. Uncertain about the future of his

petition, Allain and his family lived in fear because of their undocumented status. Still, they took on several odd jobs to make a living. They persevered and kept the faith that someday they will achieve their American dream.

Finally, after 24 years, Atty. Gurfinkel was able to help Allain and his family adjust their status and acquire their green cards.

Watch this success story on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 3 at 7:00 PM PT (10:00 PM ET thru select Cable/ Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Ultimate pop superstar Sarah Geronimo heads celebrityworld list of glorious July birthday celebrants

By Ferdie Villar

SARAH Geronimo-Guidicelli, who has had a sterling music and movie career in Philippine showbiz, heads the list of prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays in the summer month of July. She turns 34 on July 25.

Geronimo rose to prominence after winning one of the many singing competitions in the Philippines, “Star for a Night,” which rewarded her with a recording contract with Viva Records. Since that auspicious win, the talented Manileña has put out more than a dozen albums, starred in numerous concerts, and parlayed her status into a successful showing in movies and TV. Sarah has been recognized both locally and internationally with music industry awards and accolades. Her local awards include 12 Awit Awards, 8 Aliw Awards, 28 Myx Music Awards and a FAMAS Golden Artist Award; she has also won Best Asian Artist at the 2012 Mnet Asian Music Awards, Best Southeast Asian Act at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards, Best Selling Filipino Artist at the 22nd World Music Awards and Best Asian Performer at the 2016 Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards.

In the movies, her partnership with actor John Lloyd Cruz has yielded blockbusters. She has been awarded with the GMMSF

Rey Benitez Satorre, owner of Health Professionals Inc. in Daly City, celebrates his birthday on Friday, July 23.

Box Office Queen title three times (2008, 2009 and 2013) and the GMMSF Princess of Philippine Movies award in 2011. Sarah has been nominated for her acting prowess a few times, winning the the 2019 Star Awards Best Actress trophy for work in the movie “Miss Granny.”

The multi-hyphenate star is also one of the most sought-after endorsers in the Philippines.

Among the many companies/ products that she has endorsed include Jollibee, Colgate, Fern-C, Maggi Supreme Sarap, Sunsilk, San Marino Corned Tuna, Sangobion, Banco de Oro, Cebuana Lhuillier, Cherry Mobile, JAG, Hapee Toothpaste, Kamillosan, Lipton, Magnolia, Manulife, Nescafe and Philippine Airlines.

According to past reports, the singer counts the late Michael Jackson and international superstar Beyonce as among her music influences.

Sarah is also known for her philanthropic efforts, holding regular benefit concerts for various charities and cancer patients. She is also known to be involved in outreach programs and organizations like Gawad Kalinga.

Geronimo is married to actor Mateo Guidicelli, whom she tied the knot with in 2020.

Other July birthday celebrants are:

Sarah Geronimo, known as Ultimate Pop Superstar in the Philippine entertainment world, celebrates her 34th birthday on Monday, July 25.

Photo from Instagram/@justsarahgph

Imelda Romualdez Marcos (right) celebrates her birthday on Saturday, July 2. She is shown in photo above beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar (middle) and a guest.

July 1: Former Miss RP-USA Rea Oblea, former beauty queen Violet Recinto, Filipina singer Vivian Arcega; July 2: Former First Lady and former Ilocos Norte Congresswoman Imelda Romualdez Marcos, movie actress Vilma Valera, former Mutya ng Mindanao Vicky San Diego Rufino; July 3: Duggan’s Serra Mortuary Special Assistant to the President Teresa Proano; July 4: ABS-CBN Auditing Head Millet Santos Mortiz, Filipina singer Pam Serrano; July 6: Former Vice President and TV Patrol host Noli de Castro, Asian Journal office manager Eugene Domingo, who is known for the “Ang Greg Michael Nitro, the late movie Babae sa Septic Tank” films, celebrates her birthday on Saturday, July 23.

Photo from Instagram/@eugenedomingo_official

Actor/singer/dancer Rayver Cruz turns 33 on Wednesday, July 20.

Photo from Instagram/@rayvercruz

Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico, a French-Filipina actress of GMA Pinoy TV, celebrates her birthday on Wednesday, July 20.

Photo from Instagram/@rayvercruz

actress Liberty Ilagan; July 7: Former Miss Universe 4th runner-up Venus Raj; July 8: San Jose religious leader Maria Cruz Back; July 11: San Jose fashionable lady Susan Pacifico, Dr. Jun Sison; July 12: Former banker Gualbert Picache who now resides in Danville, CA; July 13: Ma Mon Luk Noodle House owner Tonette Wong Arce; July 14: Regal Films president Roselle Monteverde Teo; July 15: Broadcast journalist and former Channel 2 TV host Julius Babao, former Miss RPUSA Theresa Burch; July 16: Well-loved Filipina Actress Sunshine Cruz of the famous Cruz showbiz clan celebrates her 45th birthday Actor Troy Montero celebrates his 51st nurse Rachel Forneas Satorre, on Monday, July 18. former Miss International and birthday on Saturday, July 30.

Photo from Instagram/@sunshinecruz718 Photo from Instagram/@troymontero fashion model Melanie Marquez;

July 18: Actress Sunshine Cruz, Asian Journal Publications publisher and Chairman of the Board Roger Lagmay Oriel; July 19: Oracle Development Manager Walter Back, Star Cinema actor Diether Ocampo; July 20: French-Filipina actress Solenn Heussaff of GMA Pinoy TV, celebrity couple Raymart Santiago and Claudine Barretto, Star Cinema actor and dancer/TV host Rayver Cruz; July 22: Filipina ballerina Nickie Munoz Roco; July 23: Star Cinema actor Zanjoe Marudo, Health Professionals Inc. owner Rey Benitez Satorre, actress-TV host Eugene Domingo of Kapuso Channel 7; July 28: Dr. Celso Espiritu,

Founder/Executive Vice President of Carousel Productions (which runs the Miss Earth Beauty Pageant) Lorraine Schuck, the late movie legend and oftenmentioned Queen of Philippine Movies Susan Roces; July 29: Senator Cynthia Aguilar Villar, Asian Journal Northern CA bureau chief Joseph Peralta; July 30: Handsome actor Troy Montero, Philippine Airlines former sales manager Herminia R. Lavarias, actor/rapper Andrew E; July 31: ABS-CBN movie/ television reporter Mario Dumawal, movie/entertainmnent writer and artist manager Ethel Ramos.

To all July birthday celebrants, Many Happy Returns of the Day!

Mayor Breed announces opening Young Fil-Am lawyer makes history... of first drug sobering center in SF PAGE 9 t

SoMa RISE Center is part of the city’s response to support residents with substance use dependency SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor London N. Breed and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) on Thursday, June 23 announced the opening of San Francisco’s first drug sobering center. The SoMa RISE (Recover, Initiate, Support, and Engagement) Center at 1076 Howard Street in the South of Market neighborhood, is a safe indoor space for people who are intoxicated with opioids, methamphetamines, or other substances to come in off the streets, rest and stabilize, and get connected to care and services.

SoMa RISE is part of the city’s response to the drug overdose crisis and aims to save lives from overdose deaths and reduce public drug use, while prioritizing support for people experiencing homelessness who have substance use dependency. The center will support up to 20 participants at a time with some flexibility.

Most individuals seeking care are anticipated to stay 4 to 12 hours, during which time they can rest, stabilize, and access basic services like clean bathrooms, showers, beds, and a meal.

“Our city is experiencing a substance use and mental health crisis that is sadly affecting far too many residents,” said Mayor Breed. “As we continue to address the challenges on our streets, we need to do all that we can to focus our resources and our efforts on those who need it most.

The opening of the SoMa RISE Center will not only provide a safe space for individuals in need, but it brings us one step closer to making a difference in these people’s lives and the lives of all San Franciscans.

Serving the South of Market and Tenderloin neighborhoods, SoMa RISE will initially be staffed daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. by health and safety workers who are trained in Narcan/Naloxone administration. As the Center continues to ramp up, operating hours will scale to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At SoMa RISE, the program is voluntary and participants are accepted on a walk-in basis or by transport from street outreach teams, such as the Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) or the Homeless Outreach

Team (SFHOT). SoMa RISE serves as a first link to support and assist participants ready for withdrawal management and other services.

“We are pleased to have SoMa RISE completed and added to our city’s expanding network of low-barrier services that support people with mental health and substance use disorders who are unhoused or marginally housed,” said Dr. Grant Colfax, the Director of Health. “We know that people who use drugs often want a safe place to go, off the streets, and this center will support their immediate needs while providing opportunities to take the next steps toward wellness.”

While SoMa RISE was originally conceived as a key recommendation of the city’s Methamphetamine Task Force in 2019, the large numbers of drug overdoses in recent years caused by the arrival of the powerful synthetic opioid fentanyl have given new urgency to the need for the center. The South of Market and Tenderloin neighborhoods have the city’s highest overdose rates, predominantly among individuals who are experiencing homelessness, and SoMa RISE will help address this crisis. The space is tobacco, alcohol, and drug-free and is designed to support residents with substance use issues who need a safe place to sober up.

“Opening a sobering center was the top recommendation of the Methamphetamine Task Force I co-chaired in 2019, and I am glad to see that recommendation become a reality with today’s opening of the SoMa RISE sobering center,” said Supervisor Rafael Mandelman. “This is an important milestone in the city’s efforts to address the addiction crisis on our streets, and I look forward to continued partnership with the Mayor and Department of Public Health to accelerate our progress.”

“San Francisco must listen to the needs of its residents and immediately help our most vulnerable populations, especially those struggling on the path to recovery,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “As the number of overdoses and drugrelated deaths continue to rise,

Reagan Presidential Foundation Fellow, and as a Texas Women's Museum Woman of the Year awardee.

Averie was appointed by the Mayor of Dallas as council member of their new Anti-Hate and Discrimination Advisory Council. In an impromptu interview, she said serving the community is her way of paying back, “growing up in very challenging circumstances with parents who sacrificed so much for me to become the force of nature that I am today.”

The Texas beauty spent a sometimes painful childhood in Prosper where she was confronted by bullies and hateful language. “From the way I spoke, the shape of my eyes, my flat nose, my upbringing, the financial situation that I grew up in, sometimes the way my Mom spoke,” she recalled. “Some people say rude things because they just don’t understand what they don’t know. My mission as Miss Texas and as a person is to try to teach everyone in our state that a Texan can look like me and feel equal and welcome.”

When she was Miss Dallas, before she became Miss Carrollton and went on to win as Miss Texas, many in the

SoMa RISE will be a crucial facility to provide much-needed services to these individuals, and ultimately be a place that many will build brighter futures for themselves.”

HealthRIGHT 360 will run daily operations at the SoMa RISE Center with oversight by SFDPH. Staff will be onsite every day to monitor and engage with guests.

Participants may also engage in peer counseling about health, housing, recovery, and wellness.

Upon leaving, participants will be connected and transported to their next step service destinations, including withdrawal management, residential treatment, and supportive housing. HealthRIGHT 360 is a non-profit community provider of residential and outpatient service Averie Bishop was appointed by the Mayor for health care, mental health, and Discrimination Advisory Council. substance use disorder services. community saw greatness in this “SoMa RISE is a critical articulate but unassuming and response to the current drug crisis down-to-earth young Filipina. that addresses a very clear need.

At the last PACC Texas Awards By providing a safe and welcoming Night, Consul Ethel Mercado space that gives people a place and this author honored her with to go that is off the streets while the Founders’ Award as “Most they’re in crisis, we are able to help Outstanding Young Leader in them stabilize and connect them Texas.” to care and services. SoMa RISE helps builds connections with clients and will be an entry point for people to get connected to other care services like substance use treatment, mental health services, and housing. We are proud to be involved in this project and believe that it will improve outcomes for those that need help the most,” said Vitka Eisen, President and CEO of HealthRIGHT 360.

Under Mayor Breed’s leadership, the city is focused on addressing substance use, mental health, and homelessness. The SoMa RISE Center will be evaluated and use of the center will be tracked by SFDPH, furthering the City’s efforts to ensure programs are working and improve services as needed. The site will also host DPH administrative offices.

San Francisco has devoted significant resources to creating low-barrier programs that are easily accessible to people experiencing homelessness. Sobering centers provide an alternative approach to law enforcement and reduce unnecessary emergency Averie and mom Marevi have worked to improve conditions in their native village of Banga, South Cotabato, Philippines through their Tulong Foundation. Photo above shows Averie at a department visits and hospital water pump in their small village. stays. (SF Mayor’s Office Release)

of Dallas to the city’s new Anti-Hate and Photos courtesy of Mel Krater

In addition to her amazing intellect and stunning beauty, she is also an excellent singer and dancer. Her stirring song from “Les Miserables” won her the Most Talented award in the preliminary round. Explaining her wardrobe, she said, “I know wearing this costume is not typical wardrobe at a pageant.

But my choice was a reflection of how far I’ve come in life. I am proud to have worn hand-medowns, thrifted clothing, and torn up shoes as a child. To me, this costume was not a costume. It is a celebration of the rags I have shed, thanks to the village and the people who have embraced me.”

Averie is looking forward to her very hectic duties as Miss Texas while preparing for the Miss America pageant in Connecticut in December. Watch out, Miss America crown. Averie is on her way to claim you!

Watch this short clip of her powerful answer to one of the judges’ questions, “Five or ten years from now, what legacy would you hope people will remember you by?, at https:// www.facebook.com/allaboutmel/ videos/587018376135304.

About the Author: Gus Mercado is a well-known business and civic leader in Dallas, Texas. He is a recipient of the Presidential BANAAG Award for Outstanding Community Leadership.

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 1-7, 2022

Is the real estate market cooling off?

by RealtoR

11

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THERE are indications in the past few weeks that the real estate market seems to be experiencing a cooldown period after a long period of upward trends.

According to First American Title’s market reports for the communities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Boulder City and Henderson, the market action index, or MAI, for these communities have fallen a bit from last month’s levels, although we are still at a seller’s market level.

For Las Vegas, FAT’s market report states that MAI is down 64 from the previous month’s level of 72. Median list price of homes fell down a little bit to $585,000, with the median price of new listings pegged at $495,645, also trending a bit downward. However, that is still good as per square foot price is still about $277, which shows a tremendous historical increase through the years.

It is still considered a seller’s market in Las Vegas, as there is still not enough inventory in the market to satisfy demand, although inventory has been steadily increasing over the past few months. The average days on market is at 59, while the median days on market is holding steady at 21.

The North Las Vegas area’s MAI has also fallen down to 79 from a level of 89 last month. The median list price of homes is at $469,900, with new listings having a median price of $459,999. Per square foot

price has held steady at $243.

While average days on market is at 52, which represented a decrease, median days on market has been trending up and is at 21. The North Las Vegas area is still deemed to be a seller’s market.

The same scenario is true for Henderson, whose MAI, per the FAT market report, fell down to 60 from a level of 69 last month.

Inventory has increased in the area, with the median list price of homes and the median price of new listings both going down to $663,000 and $561,915 respectively. Per square foot price has increased to $301 for the area. Average days on market is at 56, while median days on market has held steady at 21.

Finally, in the Boulder City area, the MAI has also fallen a bit to 49 from last month’s level of 56, but is still in seller’s market level.

The median list price of homes in Boulder City is holding steady at $748,440, while median price of new listings actually increased to $715,000. Per square foot price is at $333. Average days on market and median days on market has decreased to 103 and 39, respectively.

The current situation of the economy has contributed to the cooling off period, with many market analysts talking about inflation as well as the rising prices of gasoline due to world events (war on Ukraine and embargo on Russian oil, the pandemic and supply chain problems).

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (left) feels so lucky to have as her client, well-loved dentist Dr. Phil Paleracio, who is investing in Pahrump and plans to build his second medical office on Homestead Road.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s (2nd from left) repeat investors in Pahrump, Clark Kenneth (extreme right) and Angelica (extreme left) Games from Palm Springs, CA have fallen in love with the fast developing town in Nye County, Nevada. With Realtor Quirevis-Bateman and the Games couple is Realtor John Abarabar of Rockwell Commercial Group.

A housing market crash, similar to what happened in 2008, should not happen this time even if the economy is on a slowdown. The industry is better equipped to handle any downward trends in the real estate market. Due to the circumstances of the 2008 housing market meltdown, procedures have been put in place to protect consumers, including more transparency in the lending process for buyers as well as higher qualification requirements in order to get optimal rates.

However, for the real estate market in Nevada, the cooling down period is not expected to last.

Real estate prices in the state are still at lower levels when compared

to some areas in the country, which is why more and more people are looking at living in Nevada due to more reasonable home and land prices.

Unemployment has also been trending downward in the state, which may mean more money or income for people to put into a home if they intend to purchase one.

A look at all the projects being planned in Las Vegas and neighboring communities shows continued interest in the area.

With tracts of land being sold in record prices and large companies committed to developing their own competing projects aimed at attracting tourists, travelers,

Once again at Benihana’s in Westgate, celebrating the close of escrow of a client, Virgilio P. Longakit Jr., for his unit at Tower 1, Turnberry Place. Photo above shows (from left) Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman, Dr. Phil Parelacio, Virgilio Longakit Jr. and Mary Jane Cutshall.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948 or send email to fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

businesses and fun seekers of every age and size, construction should be aplenty and jobs available in the coming years.

Currently, inventory of homes has been increasing for Las Vegas and other neighborhoods. That bodes well for home buyers as they will have a number of choices to look at in their search for that dream house. Although still in a seller’s market, market conditions have dampened a bit – it has given buyers a little bit of wiggle room.

While the real estate market may adjust itself and correct itself a bit after a long period of uptick, history suggests that real estate is still a sound investment. One only has to look at price comparisons from a year ago, a decade ago, or even a couple or more decades ago to see that land and homes prices have risen on the average despite experiencing some periods of slump.

I have been a realtor since 1988 and have seen how Las Vegas, Pahrump and other neighboring communities have grown through

the years. Many of my clients who have invested in properties have seen their portfolio and wealth grow in time. Some have even taken advantage of market trends and have put their investments to good use via Airbnb, rentals and land banking.

There are still opportunities for those who want to secure home or property in Pahrump, Las Vegas or other Nevada communities. I can help you, my kababayans, purchase your first home, or second home, or investment property and turn your dreams into reality.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has successfully helped its clientele find the best deals since 1988. You can reach me at 775513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Health @Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

PH CONGEN IN SF MEETS ICCP EXEC. Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer welcomed ICCP president & COO and adviser to the chairman of the ICCP Group Rommel Leuterio on Friday, June 17. Photo above shows (from left) Ms. Rosalie Say of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona, Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer, Mr. Rommel Leuterio, President & COO and adviser to the chairman of the ICCP Group, and Mr. JR Calanoc, CEO of Dynamico Space. The ICCP group is an aggregation of companies engaged in investment banking, venture capital, industrial estate development, township development, and exposition facility complex management.

Photo and text courtesy of San Francisco PCG

Sentro Rizal celebrates 4th anniversary with virtual field trip on Rizal’s travels, legacy WASHINGTON D.C. – Sentro Rizal Washington D.C. of the Philippine Embassy celebrated its 4th anniversary on Monday, June 27 with selected FilipinoAmerican students, teachers, and parents on a virtual field trip around the world to learn about Dr. Jose Rizal’s travels and legacy.

To realize this goal, Sentro Rizal Washington D.C. joined hands with the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators (UNIFFIED) Maryland Chapter and the Ayala Museum in celebrating this year’s anniversary through “Children’s Tour: Virtual Field Trip on Rizal’s Travels and Legacy.”

During the one-and-a-halfhour online tour, junior travelers aged 7-12 years old virtually explored Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Brussels, and Manila from the comfort of their own homes.

The virtual field trip focused on Dr. Rizal’s journey during his early years and how it inspired his numerous contributions to the Philippines and eventual publication of what became

a strong inspiration of the Philippine independence movement.

“The Embassy, through its Sentro Rizal and with the support of valued partners such as the Ayala Museum and UNIFFIED, will continue its efforts in creating tailor-fit projects that fulfills the needs and interests of its audiences – both Filipino and non-Filipino – in our mission to enhance global appreciation for Filipino arts and culture.

The Sentro Rizal serves as a balangay that brings overseas Filipinos and their children closer to their roots by instilling a strong sense of nationhood, a holistic understanding of their ancestry, and the bayanihan spirit of a Filipino,” Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez said in a statement.

Ayala Museum combines conventional and unconventional styles of learning by using online tools (e.g. google maps, YouTube, and Zoom), fun interactive activities, and a tour

of its collection.

At the end of the tour, the tripgoers, particularly the students, wrote their own personal letters addressed to Dr. Rizal, and shared how they learned a better appreciation and understanding of Philippine history and culture by learning the life of a Philippine national hero.

The Embassy expresses its appreciation to the students, parents, and teachers who shared their time to participate in this program. Sentro Rizal Washington DC endeavors to implement similar initiatives and activities for Filipino and Filipino American communities in the United States and the Caribbean. For more updates and information, regularly check the Embassy’s website (www. philippineembassy-usa.org) and social media pages (Twitter: @ philippinesusa; Facebook: www. facebook.com/philippinesusa) on upcoming events or contact the Embassy for future collaboration and joint projects.

(PH Embassy Release)

Tri Counties Bank, NAAC launch down payment assistance program

CHICO – Tri Counties Bank announced on Wednesday, June 22 a partnership with the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), to provide a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program that will launch on July 7, 2022. The DPA Program aims to assist qualifying low- to moderate-income home buyers, especially in underserved communities, to fund down payments on home purchases.

The new program will be coordinated through the NAAC, while Tri Counties Bank will offer mortgage loan financing to borrowers. Tri Counties Bank is also providing financial support to NAAC. Qualifying home buyers can receive a forgivable loan of up to 3% of the price of the home (with $10,000 maximum) for down payment assistance.

First-time home buyers may also be able to obtain additional down payment assistance from Tri Counties Bank through the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco’s WISH program that provides up to $22,000 for a down payment.

“Tri Counties Bank is pleased to partner with the NAAC and bring this program to fruition,” said Rick Smith, President and CEO of Tri Counties Bank. “Our goal is to strengthen and grow our communities, including those that have been underserved, by providing potential low- to moderate-income buyers with the means to achieve the dream of purchasing their first home.”

The program is available

intravenously every 3 weeks for over 6 months.

TMS for bipolar Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) uses magnetic stimulation of the brain to help improve the symptoms of Bipolar Disorder, a disease associated with periods of mania (extreme high) and periods of depressed mood. The current therapy includes a combination of medication and psychotherapy, which are helpful but not totally and permanently effective.

Hence, the search for a better modality.

TMS has shown success in treating depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and some studies revealed it could be effective for Bipolar Disease. It appears to be a viable option in the future in the management of people with Bipolar Disorder when the U.S. FDA finally approves it also for the treatment of Bipolar Disorder.

Fauci positive On June 15, 2022, a news report revealed that Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, tested positive for COVID-19. People have been wondering why he was infected when he was fully vaccinated, complete with the second booster. They are also questioning the worth of the vaccines for COVID-19.

Don’t blame the vaccines; blame the unvaccinated, who are the carriers and spreaders of the SARS-CoV2 virus.

The vaccines are safe and effective for most variants and to a little degree for the newer ones (Omicron BA.4 and BA.5).

Obviously, Dr. Fauci was infected with the new variant not covered (or only partially covered) by the boosters.

This is the reason why Moderna is coming out with a vaccine that is tailored to cover the Omicron variant and other sub-variants. Other custommade vaccines for COVID-19 are being tested in laboratories around the world.

Evidently, the waning vaccines, and the new and the future strains after them, would require all fully (4 shots) vaccinated individuals to get the 3rd, 4th, etc., booster shots to protect them from future variants after 4-6 months or so from the last booster. The CDC would surely monitor the situation and advise the public accordingly.

But this is the sad reality because there are still more than 100 million people in the United States who are not vaccinated, not even with one shot. There are more than 90 million in the Philippines who have not gotten their booster shot.

Moderna’s next-generation Omicron BA.4 and BA.5targeting boosters will be available this coming Fall.

Hopefully, Universal COVID-19 vaccines that would cover all strains and future variants

would be created soon.

COVID-19 updates As of last Tuesday, June 28, 2022, at 12:42 GMT, the COVID toll reached 549,967,517, with 6,352,472 deaths worldwide; 88,910,140 cases with 1,041,027 deaths in the United States; and 3,702,319 cases (576 new infections), with 60,531 deaths in the Philippines.

It is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. On Monday alone, June 27, there were still more than 132,000 cases and 279 deaths in the United States. With only 67 percent of the people in the U.S. fully vaccinated, the 109 million unvaccinated will continue to act as a reservoir, a factory, for the virus to replicate and mutate in their bodies, and exponentially spread to other people. The new strains could still infect even those vaccinated, albeit the symptoms would be milder for most people, but could still be dangerous to others.

Arrogance, bravado, and carelessness could be deadly.

It is prudent to continue to be wise, cautious, and vigilant.

Almost 10.8 billion vaccines have been administered worldwide; the vaccines are safe and effective. Getting fully vaccinated (with the recommended boosters now and in the future) could save lives.

For those exposed to COVID-19 infection, here are the recommendations: “Day 0 of isolation should be your first day of symptoms or the day your positive test was taken, whichever is earlier. Days 1-4 are strict isolation days (in one room) unless you're going out to receive medical care. Day 5 is the last full day of isolation if you were asymptomatic or if symptoms have been improving. Day 6 is when you can leave isolation if wearing a mask. Day 11 is when you can leave isolation without a mask.” *** 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 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. *** 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. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Why Tuesday goes emotional while loading groceries at a cashier

by Alex

BrosAs Inquirer.net

through NAAC to home buyers in Tri Counties Bank’s Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) assessment areas.

Participants must also meet income requirements and qualify for a first mortgage through Tri Counties Bank.

The down payment assistance loan can be forgiven if the home is not sold, given away or otherwise conveyed or refinanced within five years of the mortgage closing date. Otherwise, the loan will be recovered pro rata by the NAAC at 20% per year and used for future DPA Program loans.

“One of the biggest barriers of first-time homebuyers owning a home is the lack of down payment assistance,” said Faith Bautista, President and CEO of National Asian American Coalition. “The Tri Counties Bank DPA Program will help increase homeownership in low-tomoderate income communities, as well as bridge the gap of wealth and income inequality.”

Interested home buyers can contact the NAAC regarding the DPA Program at 650-9520522 or www.NAAC.org. (NAAC Release)

Raymond introduces ‘afam’ boyfriend TV host Raymond Gutierrez introduced his boyfriend in celebration of Pride Month.

In his Instagram account, Raymond posted photos of him with his unnamed boyfriend.

"Celebrate your love! Happy Pride, Philippines," he captioned the post.

In his interview with Wil Dasovich earlier this month, the twin of Richard Gutierrez admitted that he's in a relationship.

“In January, I did meet someone and we’re taking it a little bit more seriously. And yeah, we are in a relationship,” he said.

“There’s nothing to hide. What is there to hide? If the pandemic taught us one thing, it’s to live your life now,” he added.

Raymond came out as a member of the LGBTQ community in an interview in August 2021.

“I’m here to formally say that I am a proud member of the LGBTQ community. And it feels great saying that publicly because I am,” he said.

“I am out to a lot of my close friends and I’m lucky that I have that support system around me to give me the confidence to really accept who I am and to love myself Raymond Gutierrez and his boyfriend in an Instagram post on because not a lot of people have that,” he added. (Philstar.

June 26, 2022.

THE name of this drink has led to a lot of curiosity. Is it a tea that explodes?

Gunpowder green tea is simply a type of green tea where the leaves are rolled up into tiny balls, making them look like pellets or gunpowder. This tea comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, originally grown in China, but now also available in Sri Lanka and Taiwan. It has a light smokey taste to it and could be mixed with other teas to achieve the desired flavor.

Studies have shown that those who regularly drink tea, especially green tea, are less likely to get sick, and they have more of the cells that fight viruses. Drinking green tea can reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thus lowering the risk for heart disease and chronic illnesses, including Alzheimer’s and cancer.

It also contains catechins and alkaloids that help manage blood sugar levels, and aid in the management of diabetes T2. The catechins in green teas also help reduce inflammation throughout the body and are good for digestive health.

A study in Japan shows green tea consumption (2-3 cups a day) maximizes natural longevity. Since gunpowder green tea has more caffeine, it boosts energy greater. It is an alternative to coffee for those who cannot tolerate the acidity of coffee. Gunpowder green tea also burns more body fat which helps in weight reduction.

This is certainly a healthy drink compared to soft drinks, which are poison, because they (cola or uncola, regular or diet, caffeinated or not) all increase the risk for Metabolic Syndrome for both adults and children.

Colorectal cancer Cancer of the colon and rectum (the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States) is expected to victimize 151,030 individuals, with 52,580 of them killed by this malignancy this year (2022), according to the U.S. National Cancer Institute.

Traditionally, the treatment for these has been a combination of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

But chemotherapy is toxic, radiation has a lot of side effects, and surgery is not a trivial one. So, researchers are exploring other avenues.

For a highly specific type of rectal cancer (locally advanced, mismatch repair-deficient rectal cancer), immunotherapy has been used with great success to help the body identify and better fight cancer cells. An immune checkpoint inhibitor called a PD-1 inhibitor prevents cancer cells from evading the immune system.

The drug is dostarlimab, given

Gunpowder tea

Photo from Instagram/@mond

SINGER Tuesday Vargas reminisced the old days when she barely had enough for her groceries, which sent her shedding some tears.

Vargas recalled her bittersweet experience in her Instagram page last Saturday, June 25, while she showed a photo of herself inside her car with her purchases.

“Dati kapag namimili ako, bawat piraso ng bawang binibilang ko kung kasya ang pera ko. Nagdadala ako ng calculator (kasi pati telepono ko noon mumurahin lang walang calculator) para makita ko kung pasok pa sa budget. Ni wala akong membership sa kahit anong shopping club,” she recalled.

(In the past, when I shopped, I counted the pieces of garlic to make sure that I have enough money for them. I brought a calculator, because my cellphone was cheap and did not have a calculator, so I can see if the items are still within my budget. I did not even have a membership in any shopping club.)

Vargas admitted that she only got to taste imported grocery items when her mom sent them or when there was a relative who returned from abroad and brought pasalubong. But she is now able to buy healthy food because of her perseverance, and from the paycheck from her essential oils business.

“Aba ang mahal pala ng mga organic, grass fed chururut.

Pero mas mainam kasi kung makaka iwas ka sa sakit in the

Tuesday Vargas

long run, kailangan mag invest tayo sa katawan natin,” she said.

(Wow, organic and grassfed products are expensive, but those are better. Better to avoid getting sick in the long run. We need to invest in our bodies.)

“Pwedeng simple ito para sa iba. Pero kasi po kanina naiiyak ako habang nilo load sa cart ang mga bagay bagay at nagawa ko siyang bayaran galing sa pagod at sakripisyo ko nang di ako kinakabahan sa bawat beep ng kahera,” she said.

Photo from Instagram/@tuesday_v

(This could be simple for others. But a while ago, I got teary while loading the groceries in the cart, and I was able to pay for them from my own hard work and sacrifice, without me having to worry at every beep of the cash register.)

Vargas feels there are many who could relate to her story, about how one’s ability to provide for one’s family can be a source of pride and joy for a mother like her. She expressed gratitude for the blessings she receives and wished the same for others.

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Bea willing to work with ex-BF Zanjoe by anne

PasaJol Inquirer.net

Anji Salvacion

Photo from Instagram/@_anjisalvacion_

Anji hopes to be a good role model

by Charmie Joy

Pagulong Philstar.com

ANJI Salvacion said that it was through Pinoy Big Brother, where she was hailed as the big winner for the show’s Kumunity Season 10, that she realized her life’s purpose.

The “Singing Sweetheart ng Siargao” celebrity housemate sat down with The STAR in an exclusive interview and looked back on her journey in the reality game show.

She recalled: “There was this last question that was asked before we got to the stage. They asked us, ‘Bakit ikaw ang karapatdapat na maging Big Winner?’

That was the moment that I said to myself, ‘Oh my God, is this a sign where I’m finally going to know what’s my real purpose?’”

Her answer was, “Now, I am ready to conquer and take up the responsibility and the higher calling that He has given me.

This higher calling that God has given me is to share my ultimate goal in life (which) is just to spread love and kindness.”

Right at that moment, she knew her purpose in life and she was so happy and thankful that “everything was put in places where God has really built me slowly, up until that I know na my purpose in life.”

Knowing her purpose was Anji’s mindset from the very start. “It’s because I wanted to have this impact on others, especially the children because

mindset ko na din, there are children who are watching me right now, especially the younger ones. Parang napaisip ako na I should be a better and a good role model for these children.

Because these children will be the people that my children will look up to in the future,” she shared.

What Anji considered her most memorable inside the house was when they had a challenge but ended up getting injured. “When we won in the third game, that was memorable for us. I remembered because we made a promise ni Ate Sam (Samantha Bernardo) and Mama Brenda (Mage), na sinimulan natin ‘to na magkasama, tatapusin natin ‘tong magkasama.”

“Kahit may bali-bali kami, si Ate Sam may sprain, ako naman baldado din po sa likod, we still did our best. What’s more memorable about that was hindi na po kami na-pressure sa game, mas parang in-enjoy namin yung moment,” she recounted.

“It was a funny experience and a memorable (one at the same time). Sobrang nakakaiyak din kasi everybody has an advocacy na pinaglalaban.

And talagang ipinaglalaban din namin yung pangarap namin and nakikita namin dun yung unity, love and passion to win,” she furthered.

Anji is also dreaming of owning a house some day for her family and slowly, she is saving up to make this a reality. She said, “It

really will cost a lot. So what I’m doing now is to really work hard for it because I’m planning to just surprise everyone.”

With her blossoming career, Anji wants to learn more of her craft because she sees “life as an unending process of learning.”

In her words, “I always tell myself to never stop learning.

You’re still learning. These are just baby steps. I still have a lot of things to learn in life and I really wanted to learn more ‘coz I want to set good examples for others.”

“The more I learn, the more I can share with others through my experiences. And that is my goal in life — to share my learnings and spread love and kindness,” she reiterated.

The singer-actress is currently working on with new songs and given the chance, she would like to play a kontrabida role in a movie or a series.

On having a loveteam, she said, “Kung sino naman po yung ibibigay sa akin ng management (I’m down for it). I trust the management. Sila din talaga ang magflo-flourish (career) and they’re the ones who will decide kung sino ang ibibigay nila na love team.”

Right now, Anji is just enjoying her days as a solo artist. “It’s just so fun when I am not limited to some projects because of it. It was so fun that I’m able to also achieve it first solo before I’m going to have, if ever, work to have any love teams,” she added.

BEA Alonzo is open to do acting projects with her exboyfriend and fellow actor Zanjoe Marudo, stating that she is willing to work with her exes, except for one.

Alonzo talked about this after fellow actress Barbie Forteza asked her if she is “willing to work with an ex,” as seen in a vlog on Forteza’s YouTube channel Sunday, June 26.

“Depende kung sinong ex.

Kay Zanjoe OK akong [makipagwork]. Isa lang naman ‘yung ayokong ex,” Alonzo answered, without naming who she was referring to.

(It depends on who the ex is. I am OK to work with Zanjoe. I only have one ex I would not want [to work with].)

Alonzo then opened up about her friendship with Marudo and said that they are on good terms despite their breakup.

“Kami ni [Zanjoe], hindi kami ugly breakup (Zanjoe and I did not have an ugly breakup). Until now we’re friends. It would be disrespectful to our relationship if we ended it badly,” she said.

Alonzo also pointed out that she is not afraid to relive her past experiences with her

Bea Alonzo

exes through acting scenes, as she can separate her personal feelings from her craft.

“If you’re after giving your audience a good performance, it would be helpful. Hindi ako takot sa gano’n (I am not afraid of that) because I know my boundaries as an actor and as a girlfriend to Dom,” she stated, referring to her boyfriend, actor Dominic Roque.

Alonzo and Marudo were in a relationship for about five years, before the latter confirmed their split in 2016. The two did

Photo from Instagram/@beaalonzo

not disclose the cause of their breakup.

Alonzo then reportedly started dating actor Gerald Anderson in 2016 and had a controversial breakup with him in 2019. The split was speculated to be caused by a third party, after Anderson was linked to actress Julia Barretto who worked with him in a film at the time. Alonzo also stated that the actor “ghosted” her.

Meanwhile, Anderson confirmed his relationship with Barretto in March last year. g

Ken expresses support for love team partner Rita’s pregnancy

by Jan

milo severo Philstar.com

KAPUSO actor Ken Chan expressed his support to love team partner Rita Daniela after the actress reveled that she’s pregnant with her first baby.

In his Twitter account, Ken assured Rita that he’s always beside her no matter what.

“To you and your baby, I’m here if you need anything, as someone you can always rely on,” Ken wrote.

“I pray to God for the utmost positivity, protection, support & love to surround you & your baby,” he added.

Ken said that he’s proud of his love team partner's personal milestone.

“As a friend, as someone who cares, I’ll be here for you no matter what. I am so proud of you!” he said.

After Rita revealed that she's pregnant on GMA variety show

Rita Daniela and Ken Chan

"All-Out Sunday", the actress took to her Instagram account to update her fans about her pregnancy.

“You came just in time. You are God’s greatest gift to me.

You give me hope to make more dreams COME true. I shall do

Photo from Instagram/@missritadaniela

anything and everything that’s best for you. Always,” Rita wrote.

“Nanay will always make sure that you have a heart for people and joy in the Lord. I can’t wait to meet you, anak. Ngayon pa lang, mahal na mahal na kita,” she added. g

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