071423 - New York New Jersey Edition

DATELINE USA

Fil-Am golfer makes history, wins US Women’s Open

PEBBLE BEACH — Allisen Corpuz found herself on the biggest and most beautiful stage in women’s golf and made it look like a stroll on the beach.

Never mind that she had never won on the LPGA Tour or that she had heard all week about the historic occasion of the U.S. Women’s Open held at Pebble Beach for the first time. Nothing could make her crack.

“Every few holes I kind of looked out and said, ‘I’m here at Pebble Beach. There’s not many places that are better than this,’” Corpuz said.

There weren’t many better performances, either. Corpuz turned a tight duel with Nasa Hataoka into a runaway, closing with a

‘Dramatic increase’ seen in Filipino patrol ships in West Philippine Sea

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday, July 11 said a shift to external security operations (ESO) “is on the horizon” as it strengthens its defense posture with more aerial and surface maritime patrols through its naval, air and ground assets in

areas covered by the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in disputed waters of the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The AFP said it deployed additional surface patrol ships to the Kalayaan Island Group (KIG) situated in the WPS where numerous intrusions by Chinese vessels have been recorded.

The deployment has raised the military

Marcos on nurse exodus: We’re victims of our success

MANILA — The Philippines has become a “victim” of its own success as world leaders have asked for help to send more Filipino health workers abroad, resulting in a “shortage” of personnel, President Marcos admitted on Monday, July 10.

Marcos made the remark during a meeting with members of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) in Malacañang, which tackled U.S. investments in the Philippines’ health,

Imee questions ‘covert’ US military flights in PH

by Marlon raMos Inquirer.net

THE government should come clean on the arrival in the country of more air assets of the United States, Sen. Imee Marcos said on Sunday, July 9 as she surmised that the worsening situation in the South China Sea was due to what she described as “covert” flights of U.S. military planes in the

Philippines.

The U.S. Embassy clarified that the flights were part of bilateral military exercises and were authorized by the Department of Foreign Affairs, but the flights were not cleared with airport authorities ostensibly because of “clerical errors.”

As chair of the Senate foreign relations committee, Marcos has been harping on

presence to about 90 percent, Lt. Col. Enrique Gil Ileto, AFP Public Affairs Office chief, pointed out.

Ileto said this was a “dramatic increase” from the baseline 30 percent in 2022.

He added that this heightened presence allows the monitoring of sea lines of communications (SLoCs) which is

Dispute could turn SCS into ‘sea of war’

by Bernadette e taMayo ManilaTimes.net

A CHINESE foreign ministry official believes that Beijing and Manila can resolve their maritime dispute on their own, but a “third party” could turn the South China Sea (SCS) into a “sea of war.”

Counselor Zhou Li of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) information department underscored the volatile situation in the South China Sea in her tweet Sunday, July 9. Zhou did not identify the third party.

Zhou said China and the Philippines agree that negotiation “is the only way to resolve disputes” in the vast waterway.

Former Jollibee workers protest in Jersey City, demand reinstatement and backpay

by MoMar G. Visaya AJPress

FORMER employees of Jollibee, the popular Philippines-based fastfood restaurant, staged a protest at the Journal Square location in Jersey City. These workers were allegedly terminated illegally for advocating for higher wages and a fairer workplace. The protesters attempted to deliver a letter to management, demanding u

reinstatement, backpay, and a public apology from Jollibee Food Corporation. However, police removed them from the premises. The demonstration took place on National Fried Chicken Day, one of the busiest days for Jollibee workers, who have reported increasingly unsafe working conditions and mistreatment from management. Last week, the workers filed a complaint with the

OR SHINE. Members of the Quezon City Police District practice for the Civil Disturbance Management competition at Camp Karingal in Quezon City on Wednesday, July 12. The competition set this month tests the preparedness of Civil Disturbance Management units and finds out how they address threats during emergency situations. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Third year nursing students of University of Perpetual Help System receive their caps and pins during the university’s 43rd thanksgiving and commitment rites at Ernesto Crisostomo Palanca Hall in Las Piñas City on June 21. Philstar.com photo

Dispute could turn SCS into...

China, Brunei, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines have overlapping claims in the South China Sea, believed to be rich in gas and oil deposits.

“We have [the] ability to handle it well but have to stay high-alert that South China Sea might be turned into the sea of war by the third party,” Zhou said.

In the past, Beijing has accused the United States of interfering in what has always been a regional concern.

The U.S., on the other hand, has warned against China’s aggressiveness in asserting its claims in the South China Sea.

Zhou said China’s “goal” is for the South China Sea “to become the sea of peace, friendship and cooperation.”

“We are confident about this. China has always resolved its disputes through negotiations,” the official said.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recently said Chinese patrol vessels blocked two of its boats from entering Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), describing their action as “very dangerous.”

National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea spokesman Commodore Jay Tarriela said the June 30 incident involved the PCG ships BRP Malabrigo and BRP Malapascua, which were escorting two supply ships to Ayungin.

Zhou noted that since the formulation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos) in 1982, China and countries ringing the South China Sea have “set up bilateral channels of communication to address the disputes.”

On Monday, July 10, the French Embassy in the Philippines called for “respect for international law and the resolution of disputes through dialogue.”

“We are resolutely opposed to any use of force or threat to do so. We recall, in this regard, the arbitration award rendered under

Unclos on the 12th of July 2016,” the embassy said in a statement.

China, Zhou said, negotiated with Vietnam the agreement on maritime delimitation in the Beibu Gulf and the pact on the management of fishing activities in the same area in 2000.

“And in 2011, we also signed an agreement on guiding principles for the settlement of maritime issues,” she said.

China and the Philippines have maintained communication on fishing and confidencebuilding measures since 1996, Zhou said.

During the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the Philippines and China cooperated on joint marine seismic projects in disputed areas, she said.

“It’s a pity that the cooperation was stalled later,” Zhou said. “We all understand the complexity of the relevant disputes and know that they cannot be addressed within a short period of time.”

She said China “was the earliest to propose the concept of joint development while shelving disputes and differences.”

The official said it was to the Philippines that China “made the proposal for the first time.”

“Both experiences and lessons should be learned. China and the Philippines are both at the critical period of development,” Zhou said.

“Our policy has remained unchanged, and cooperation only stopped when [then President Benigno] Aquino 3rd initiated the arbitration,” Zhou said.

In January 2013, the Aquino III administration challenged before the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague China’s nine-dash line policy in the South China Sea, saying it encroached on the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

On July 12, 2016, the court issued a landmark ruling that rejected China’s claims and upheld the Philippines’ challenge. n

Imee questions ‘covert’ US...

the issue, which she linked to the government plan to host Afghan refugees, since last month. On June 8, she filed a resolution seeking a Senate probe.

While she acknowledged the current military exercises involving American and Filipino soldiers, President Marcos’ sister said the government should be equally vigilant in protecting the country’s skies from foreign entities the way it had been speaking out against Chinese incursions in the West Philippine Sea.

Last week, the senator filed another resolution seeking an inquiry into the allegedly unauthorized landing of a Boeing C-17 Globemaster transport aircraft of the U.S. Air Force at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on June 26.

“Too little is known

‘Dramatic increase’ seen in Filipino patrol...

complemented by the AFP’s littoral monitoring stations/ detachments (LMS/LMDs) to detect, track and subject foreign ships to interdiction.

Ileto disclosed that a redeployment of naval special operations units and the Philippine Marines was done with Marine Battalion Landing Team 9’s transfer to Palawan last month, and that the presence of the 4th Marine Brigade in the country’s northern frontier was also part of the AFP’s shift to ESO.

He said the employment of the AFP’s air surveillance radar systems continues.

areas in the West Philippine Sea, saying they are part of its territorial waters under the so-called nine-dash line demarcation.

This statement was debunked in 2016 when the Permanent Court of Arbitration issued a landmark ruling in favor of the Philippines’ protest against China’s sweeping claims in the West Philippine Sea.

Chinese ships, however, remain an intimidating presence in the West Philippine Sea, where incursions have been recorded.

the Julian Felipe Reef, also within the Philippines’ EEZ. There have also been reports of Chinese vessels driving away Filipino fishermen from the West Philippine Sea.

Last February, a laserpointing incident in the Ayungin Shoal involving a China Coast Guard ship and a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel on a resupply mission was reported.

In June, several Chinese ships reportedly tried to block two PCG vessels from entering Ayungin Shoal.

EEZ (exclusive economic zone) must also apply where Philippine air traffic rules and joint military agreements with the U.S. are concerned,” she stressed.

Marcos also urged defense and security officials to look into the possibility that “covert U.S. military flights aggravated the already tense situation in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait.”

She also asked them to “weigh the risks to public safety” of the presence of U.S. military planes in the country.

“We have improved our capabilities and our presence in strategic locations with the effective presence of our maritime detachments in the Batanes group of islands, the Kalayaan Island Group and Tawi-Tawi,” Ileto added.

He said the Armed Forces have facilitated the completion of personnel barracks in Likas, Parola and Kota stations in the island group.

Chinese ships have been reported to employ aggressive behavior when confronting Philippine ships through verbal warnings, the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers.

In November 2021, three China Coast Guard ships blocked and fired water cannons at two Philippine boats transporting supplies to Ayungin Shoal, which lies 104 nautical miles west of Palawan and is well within the country’s EEZ.

These incidents prompted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to declare a recalibration of the military’s focus on external security defense.

Despite this shift, Ileto said, the AFP continues to defeat communist and terrorist groups.

Sen. Imee Marcos Inquirer.net photo about ongoing U.S. military activity in our territory while we constantly call out the presence of Chinese vessels in the South China Sea,” Marcos said in a statement.

“[T]he same zeal in tracking any violations in our maritime territory and

Citing information from international flight tracker AirNav Systems, the senator said a Boeing C-17 Globemaster plane, with flight code MC244/RCH244, arrived in Manila at 6:03 a.m. on July 7. Earlier, Marcos also complained about the arrival of another military cargo plane on June 26. n

“These are complemented by [the AFP] partnering with its ally and strategic partner armed forces from our global and regional allied countries that enable leveraging of capabilities through information sharing, subjectmatter expert exchange, and joint and combined maritime exercises,” Ileto added.

“All of these are [done] with the help of an interagencywholistic effort through the National Task Force-West Philippine Sea,” he said.

China has been challenging the Philippines’ ownership of

After the Ayungin incident, Beijing issued a statement urging the Philippines to remove the grounded “BRP Sierra Madre” from the shoal in line with Manila’s “commitment.”

Early last year, at least 48 Chinese fishing vessels were sighted swarming off Iroquois Reef, located south of the oil- and gas-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea, which is part of the Philippines’ EEZ.

Early this year, over 200 Chinese ships suspected to be maritime militia swarmed

“Our efforts have resulted in success with the significant reduction of their numbers and firearms and the clearing of areas where they used to maintain presence, and [which counter] their propaganda and [suppress] their financial and logistics support,” he added.

Ileto noted that of the five active communist guerrilla fronts at year-end 2022, two were dismantled and two were weakened, leaving only one front active.

“In total, 20 are on a weakened status and one active. With these, we have safeguarded the safety and welfare of our fellow citizens, thanks to the tireless efforts, support, and cooperation of government agencies and different sectors of society,” he said. n

This photo shows Chinese fishing vessels swarming off the Iroquois Reef and Sabina Shoal, south of the oil- and gas-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea. This was taken from an air patrol by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on June 30.

Photo courtesy of the Western Command of the AFP

Former Jollibee workers protest...

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Jollibee of unfair labor practices. The complaint focuses on the termination of nine employees on February 20, allegedly in retaliation for their organizing efforts.

Former Jollibee worker Keyser Garganera expressed disappointment at the abuse of power, stating, “We do our jobs right, and we received this - getting laid off because we want a better workplace, holiday pay, and a $3 wage increase to support ourselves and our families.” Another former worker, Mary Taino, expressed disillusionment with Jollibee, saying, “They need to stop with their lies and give dignity to workers’ rights towards equal pay across locations.”

The workers have received support from community groups, including Pilipinos Organizing for Worker Empowerment and Rights (POWER). Attorney Jackelyn Mariano of the Mission to End Modern Slavery (MEMS) highlighted that “concerted activity is protected under

federal labor law,” and described the termination of these workers as an attempt to undermine their efforts.

Jollibee officials have not responded to inquiries from our publication regarding the protest and the allegations made by the workers. Under New Jersey law, absent an employment contract, all employment is at-will, meaning that an employer can generally

Marcos on nurse exodus: We’re...

digital infrastructure and energy programs.

“Unfortunately, in terms of health care workers, we have become victims of our own success in that the Filipinos did really well during the pandemic. And so every leader I meet says ‘can we have more Filipino med techs, doctors and nurses?’ So we’re having a shortage here,” Marcos said.

“So we are trying to find schemes so as to alleviate that problem. One of the things our Department of Health (DOH)has come up with is that we are coming to an arrangement with countries who will accept Filipino health care workers to at the same time train the equivalent number of health care workers that will stay in the Philippines,” he added.

According to Marcos, the government is also trying to accelerate the board examinations to produce more nurses.

to work in state-run hospitals.

At the same meeting, Marcos talked about the government’s initiatives in the health sector, including the groundbreaking of a multi-specialty hospital outside Manila and the plan to build more hospitals in far-flung areas.

“I’m always been a great believer of bringing health care down to the grassroots level. Right now, there is a tendency for us to only go to the hospital when it is absolutely necessary ... So health care has become an important part of this administration’s efforts,” he added.

Energy, digitalization

terminate an employee at any time and for any reason. This protest marks the beginning of the #Justice4JollibeeWorkers campaign, aiming to fight for the rights of Jollibee workers. The campaign has garnered support from various labor organizations and encourages workers at Jollibee locations worldwide to organize for better working conditions. n

“So that’s the adjustment that we are trying to make. It’s not only in the facilities, it’s also in the training. We are very proud of them but we wish they’d stay home,” the chief executive said.

Late last year, the DOH said the Philippines lacks about 194,000 health personnel as it reiterated the need to upgrade the salaries of workers in the sector. The country was short of more than 106,000 nurses and 67,000 physicians, the agency added.

Last month, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa announced a plan to hire nursing graduates whose scores are slightly lower than the 75 percent passing grade in government hospitals. He clarified that only those whose scores are 70 to 74 percent would be tapped

Marcos also talked about issues surrounding the energy sector, noting that the price, reliability and supply of energy are among the problems being raised by foreign investors in the country. He assured the members of BENS that the government is addressing the concern.

“The ease of doing business is something that we can do immediately... because putting up power plants, no matter what kind of power plants, there are six, seven years, lead time. So maybe with the new technologies maybe we can do better,” the president said.

“So that we are certainly working on. The distribution has improved. The distribution is a factor because there are parts of the Philippines where they have ... then there are certain areas where they do not, deficit. So that’s what we are hoping to attend to in the near term,” he added.

Marcos also cited the amendments to

After filing a National Labor Relations Board complaint, a group of former Jollibee workers and community members delivered a letter to management to demand reinstatement and backpay. Organizers are calling it as the first ever communitysupported worker protest in a Jollibee location in North America.

Fil-Am golfer makes history, wins...

3-under 69 on Sunday for a three-shot victory to become the first American in 20 years to make the U.S. Women’s Open her first LPGA title.

At Pebble Beach, no less.

The 25-year-old from Hawaii was calm and cool, no matter the shot or the circumstances, until reality set in as she took a threeshot lead down the 18th fairway. It’s a path taken over the years by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and Tiger Woods, all of them U.S. Open champions at Pebble Beach.

“Just knowing the history … Tiger just absolutely annihilated this place. Yeah, it’s really special,” Corpuz said. “Twenty, 30 years from now, I think just the fact that it’s a U.S. Open means a lot to me. But know that it’s at Pebble makes it even sweeter.”

She won by three shots over Charley Hull (66) and Jiyai Shin (68) and claimed the $2 million prize, the richest ever for an LPGA major champion.

Corpuz couldn’t contain a wide smile when she tapped in for par, only to cover it with her hand as the tears began to flow. She wiped them with her Aloha-print tower.

Former President Barack Obama was among the first to congratulate her on Twitter. Both went to Punahou School in Honolulu.

“Unreal,” Corpuz said. “This week has felt like a dream come true.”

Hilary Lunke in 2003 at Pumpkin Ridge was the last American to get her first win at the U.S. Women’s Open, that one in a three-way Monday playoff.

Corpuz, who finished at 9-under 279, was the only player to break par all four days.

Corpuz never gave anyone much of a chance. Hataoka lost her one-shot lead on the opening hole when Corpuz hit her approach to 5 feet for birdie, and the 24-yearold from Japan dropped too many shots down the home stretch.

They were tied at the turn until Corpuz hit her approach to just inside 10 feet for birdie on the 10th. The key moment was at the par-3 12th, when Corpuz came up short in the bunker and had 15 feet for par. Hataoka rolled her birdie putt from the fringe 5 feet by the hole. Corpuz made her par, Hataoka missed her putt and the lead was at two.

It only got larger, Corpuz stretching it to four shots with superb wedges to 8 feet on the par-5 14th and 4 feet on the 15th, both birdies that made the final act a battle for second place.

Hull, who started the final round seven shots behind, closed to within two shots early on the back nine and stayed in the game with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 16th. Only later did she realize Corpuz was pulling away. Hull kept firing, hitting 3-wood from under the cypress tree in the middle of the 18th fairway and nearly pulling it off.

“Shy kids don’t get sweets,” she told herself on the 18th before lashing away and dropping to a knee to watch its flight.

Shin made a birdie on the 18th to join Hull as a runnerup. The two-time major champion from South Korea never had a serious chance to win, but she celebrated a big moment for Corpuz and for women’s golf.

“I’m only watching the TV to Pebble Beach and then finally we are here to play,” Shin said. “This course has a great history, and then finally the women’s history is in.”

That history belonged to Corpuz. She joined Michelle Wie West as the only major champions from Hawaii — Wie West won the Women’s Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014 and played her final major this week at Pebble Beach.

They are linked by the Aloha State, their high school (Punahou) and their emphasis on education — Wie West graduated from Stanford, Corpuz got a business degree and an MBA

from USC — and their early start in USGA events. Corpuz broke Wie West’s record as the youngest player to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links as a 10-year-old.

“I never really thought I’d get this far. Just watching Michelle, she’s been such a huge role model to me, and it was really awesome to break her record for the Public Links,” Corpuz said. “But I’ve never really compared myself to her. I’ve always wanted to make my own name. She’s just served as a really big inspiration.”

Corpuz was playing in her 19th USGA championship. She knows the USGA formula of fairways and greens, and loads of patience. She is built for this, especially given her concentration that not even a gorgeous day on the Monterey Peninsula could crack.

Officiating behind the fifth green was Mary Bea Porter King, the pioneer of junior golf in Hawaii and one of the most influential figures in the game. Corpuz first came into the Hawaii junior program at age 7.

“She’s always been calm, cool and… I won’t say serious, but she just plodded along. She was sort of a giant killer,” Porter King said. “I don’t think she was fearful of anything.”

That much was obvious at Pebble Beach, which had enough wind to be challenging as ever. Only seven players finished under par.

Hataoka, whose 66 on Saturday was nearly nine shots better than the field, had a 40 on the back nine

for fourth

Marcos on nurse exodus: We’re...

some laws that seek to make the Philippines more attractive to investors, especially on the digitalization of the country’s economy. He also enumerated measures aimed at assisting micro, small and medium enterprises, the sector that accounts for the bulk of employment in the Philippines.

“We are trying to bring them into the system of digital marketing. So we put up an app for small businesses,” he said.

“We have encouraged all of these private NGOs (non-government organizations) who have had an interest in promoting startups. We are trying to create an environment that will be friendly to startups because we know that startups have a higher rate of failure than other traditional businesses. So we need to be able to adjust to that new way of doing things.”

Also mentioned during the meeting was the business process outsourcing industry, which continued operating even during the COVID-19 pandemic through the work-fromhome setup.

“It derives from the very clear understanding that many of the challenges that we face today, the solutions lie in new technologies. And that’s why the retraining and re-skilling of our people have become important because we have to get them into that line of work so that we have enough people to occupy that,” Marcos said.

“Actually, the workforce is quite full when it comes to tech. But again, we need to catch up in terms of training, in terms of getting involved in the new technologies that we are seeing for many reasons: for digitalization, for climate change, for cybersecurity,” he said.

In a statement, the Presidential Communications Office said BENS members reaffirmed their commitment to boost the

cooperation and investment of the U.S. in the health, digital infrastructure and energy programs in the Philippines.

Founded in 1982, BENS is a ten-member business group in the U.S. Its members are in the Philippines until July 13 to discuss business and national security issues with Philippine leaders and explore potential areas for investment and cooperation.

Nurses in Vienna

Meanwhile, the Philippine embassy in Austria and the city of Vienna signed a new agreement to bring Filipino nurses to Vienna under a framework that protects their rights and eases professional and social integration.

The agreement comes exactly 50 years after the signing of a similar agreement between Manila and Vienna in 1973. This agreement facilitated the “first wave” of approximately 600 Filipino health care professionals, who worked in 14 different hospitals in the Austrian capital in the 1970s.

Philippine Ambassador to Austria Evangelina Lourdes Arroyo-Bernas signed on behalf of the Philippines the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the recruitment of Filipino nurses between the Philippines and the Federal State of Vienna and the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber.

Department of Migrant Workers

Undersecretary Patricia Yvonne Caunan was a signatory witness to the agreement, which is seen as the culmination of sustained bilateral labor talks between the two countries, and a revival of the longstanding cooperation in the field of health care.

The MOU outlines an ethical, transparent and sustainable recruitment framework that will govern the entry, hiring and integration of Filipino health care professionals in Vienna. (by Pia Lee-Brago, Alexis Romero/ Philstar.com) n

to tie for ninth. She now has top 10s in both majors as a pro, though this

never in the mix. (Inquirer. net with repots from AP) n

and tied

with

Allisen Corpuz was born to May and Marcos Corpuz on March 20, 1998. Allisen’s father is from Ilocos Norte, Philippines, and her mother is of Korean descent. Corpuz was also an avid golf player who moved to Hawaii with his parents when he at eight years old.

Photo from Instagram/@allysoncorpuz

Bailey Tardy, the 36-hole leader who went 75-73 on the weekend for her best finish in her LPGA rookie season.

Rose Zhang, who dominated the amateur scene and then won her first LPGA Tour start as a pro, never got on track and closed with a 72

time she was

AGE DOESN’T MATTER. Shirley Barberan (right), an employee of the Pasay City local government, is congratulated by Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano during the City University of Pasay graduation ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center on Monday, July 10. Barberan earned her Bachelor of Science in Office Administration degree at the age of 65. PNA photo by Yancy Lim

Features OpiniOn Victim of our success?

Hospitals both state-run and private are so hard-pressed to find nurses that the new health secretary has proposed hiring graduates who flunked the nursing board exams to augment health workforces.

Nursing continues to be in demand as a career, but many graduates are jobless by choice, waiting mainly for the opportunity to leave for work overseas. The COVID pandemic heightened this problem. Nurses, worried about catching the virus in the workplace and infecting their households, stopped working.

Editorial

As of December 2020, the first year of the pandemic, an estimated 200,000 nurses were reportedly out of work – not because of lack of employment opportunities, but because they didn’t want the work conditions starting with the pay in the Philippines.

The problem is about to get worse, as high-income countries facing a nursing shortage ease their rules for migrant workers and dangle incentives such as resettlement for nurses’ families in the destination

Sketches

WHEN the Philippines initiated arbitration proceedings before the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague in January 2013 against China’s expansive claims and assertions about its supposed “historic rights” over the South China Sea on the basis of its so-called

country. This could mean a slowdown in remittances as nurses are joined abroad by their families who are the recipients of their earnings.

Addressing this problem on Monday, July 10, President Marcos tried to put a positive spin, reiterating his assessment that Philippine nurses have become so in demand all over the world that the country has become a victim of its own success. In a meeting with the U.S.-based Business Executives for National Security, the president said that in his numerous jaunts across the planet, world leaders ask him to send more health workers.

The problem is how to replace those health workers. As of the third quarter last year, the Department of Health said the country faced a shortage of 194,000 health personnel including 106,000 nurses

and 67,000 physicians. Also lacking are pharmacists, medical technologists and physical therapists. The DOH itself had over 2,000 unfilled plantilla positions, including 624 for nurses, 1,332 for midwives and 63 for dentists. This is in state-run hospitals, where the pay is better than the smaller private facilities. Imagine what the problem is like in

private hospitals.

The impact is felt in the inadequacy of public health care. Affluent economies can afford to hire health workers from all over the world. Developing countries like the Philippines cannot make up for the loss. It’s no success at all, but abject failure to provide decent jobs to our own people. (Philstar.com)

PCA arbitral ruling: Seven years after

“nine-dash line,” many –including the United States based on the information we received – were initially doubtful about the initiative taken by the late Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario.

During the Obama presidency, the United States was not too eager in supporting the PCA suit. Their policy then was, “The United States does not get involved in territorial disputes.” There were also

those – including within the Philippines – who were skeptical about such a move because China, after all, was a giant in terms of economic and military might, while the Philippines “did not have much conventional power,” as one analyst described it. In fact, former Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi stated during an ASEAN foreign ministers meeting in 2010, “China is a big country and other countries are small

countries, and that’s just a fact.”

With legal research coming from former Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio as outlined in his presentation titled “Historical Facts, Historical Lies and Historical Rights in the West Philippine Sea” with corresponding maps, international cases and decisions that sunk China’s supposed “historic” claims, Secretary Del Rosario went

ahead with the filing of the case, oftentimes standing alone in his beliefs during international gatherings.

Saying that our nation “has long placed its faith in the rules and institutions that the international community has created to regulate relations among States” in his impassioned statement before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in July 2015, the late foreign affairs secretary highlighted the “equalizing

power of international law.” Believing that the dispute resolution provisions on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea allow “the weak to challenge the powerful on an equal footing,” Secretary Del Rosario was proven correct in his conviction that “principles trump power; that law triumphs over force and that right prevails over might” when the PCA unanimously ruled that China’s claims on the

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Higher voter turnout for overseas Pinoys eyed with online voting

MANILA – The Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, July 11 underscored the need for internet voting to ease the conduct of elections and increase voter turnout for overseas Filipinos.

The Comelec made the remark on the sidelines of the demonstration of internet voting in preparation for the 2025 national and local elections.

In a Facebook livestream, Comelec chairperson George Erwin Garcia said it is high time to take advantage of the technological advancements to explore the country’s options for automated voting.

“We should now venture (into) the other modes of voting. And therefore during

the en banc session, the en banc adopted a policy to proceed the internet voting, and we interpreted the provision of the law, authorizing the Commission

DOT chief going on family leave

by Ghio onG Philstar.com

MANILA — Has the controversy over the discredited promotional video for the “Love the Philippines” tourism rebranding campaign – launched just two weeks ago – taken a toll on Tourism Secretary Christina GarciaFrasco?

who spoke to The STAR emphasized it is “common practice” for any official going on leave to tap the next ranking official to take over his or her place.

Marcos.

on Elections to venture (into) other modes of voting such as internet voting,” he said. Garcia recalled that just for the 2022 polls, the

PAGE 10

On World Population Day, governments urged to invest in gender equality

MANILA — The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) on Tuesday, July 11 called on governments to invest in gender equality, emphasizing its critical role in building a resilient global population.

The organization made this call during the observance of World Population Day. Established by the United Nations in 1987 when the global population reached five billion, the World Population Day serves as a global platform to raise awareness about population-related issues, focusing on the urgency and significance of these concerns annually on July 11th.

“We must advance gender equality to create a more just, resilient and sustainable world. The creativity, ingenuity, resources and power of women and girls are fundamental to addressing demographic and other challenges that threaten our future, including climate change and conflict. Women play a powerful role in advancing consensus and building peace at all levels,” the UNFPA said.

According to the UNFPA, gender inequality is the root of a global problem that excludes and marginalizes women and girls, despite comprising nearly half of the world’s population.

“They make up 49.7 percent of the global population, yet women and girls are often ignored in discussions on demographics, with their rights violated in population policies,” the organization said.

Women and girls facing exclusion from

education, employment, and leadership roles, restricted autonomy in health and reproductive decisions, and heightened vulnerability to violence and preventable maternal mortality continue to grapple with a pervasive injustice.

“This process starts by listening to the voices of women, girls and other marginalized people and introducing laws and policies that enable them to exert their rights and make meaningful choices,” the UNPF said.

This year, World Population Day’s theme is “Unleashing the power of gender equality: Uplifting the voices of women and girls to unlock our world’s infinite possibilities.”

In line with this, the United Nations underscored the crucial role of gender equality in sustainable development.

World Population Day serves as a global reminder to address population issues, promote gender equality, and create a thriving world while highlighting challenges and opportunities tied to global population growth, encompassing healthcare access, family planning, gender equality, poverty alleviation, sustainable development and the environment.

Meanwhile, last month, the Philippines remained among the leading countries in East Asia and the Pacific in terms of gender equality in this year’s Global Gender Gap Report of the World Economic Forum (WEF). It garnered a parity score of 0.791. (Sheila May Balagan/Philstar.com) n

The STAR learned from sources that Frasco will take a break from her work starting this week to take a vacation overseas with her family, including husband Cebu 5th District Rep. Vincent Franco Frasco, deputy speaker of the House of Representatives. It’s not clear yet how long and where she will spend her vacation.

She might not be able to attend the second State of the Nation Address of President Marcos on July 24.

Without directly confirming Frasco’s leave, some officials

According to the Department of Tourism’s list of officials available on its website, Frasco’s chief of staff and Undersecretary for legal and special concerns Mae Elaine Bathan ranks next to the secretary and her head executive assistant.

Since the outbreak of the controversy over the rebranding campaign, Frasco has been elusive to members of the media who wished to hear more from her about the issue.

The controversy was spawned by the use of stock footage shot in other countries for the “Love the Philippines” promotional video shown at the launch of the program last June 27 attended by President

DDB Philippines, the ad agency tapped for the project, has since apologized for the blunder. Frasco later announced the termination of the DOT’s contract with DDB and emphasized “not a single peso was paid.”

Asked repeatedly by the media if the DOT would retain the controversial slogan, she kept on saying “Love the Philippines!”

The department was still using the “Love the Philippines” logo and slogan during its events last week. It was visible in the photo booths, in buses used for the Philippines Hop-on/Hop-off bus tours in Manila and even on tokens for guests. Business as usual Meanwhile, it’s “business as usual” for private tourism stakeholders who insist they are undeterred by the furor over the discredited “Love

Comelec office in Quezon City.

Philstar.com file photo

BI says thorough inspection crucial to combat human trafficking

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday, July 11 underscored the importance of thorough inspection in preventing Filipinos from being human trafficking victims.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the BI’s series of inquiries, particularly on its secondary inspection, help them uncover possible human trafficking schemes.

“Our immigration officers play a crucial role in preventing these illegal activities at our airports. Their dedication and thoroughness in identifying potential victims are key in our fight against human trafficking,” he said.

Tansingco made the statement following another report of an online recruitment wherein a 49-year-old Amsterdambound Filipina has been reportedly urged to come up with false departure claims.

DENR ‘diversifying’ water sources as El Niño looms

by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

The interception happened at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 last July 4.

“During secondary inspection, the victim claimed to be a businesswoman on vacation to Amsterdam. She presented various business documents in an attempt to support her claim,” the BI said.

An immigration interview further resulted in the victim’s disclosure that she paid around PHP148,000 for her ticket and fake documents as a businesswoman.

To date, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking initiated assistance to the victim to file possible charges against her employer.

Meanwhile, Tansingco maintained a stance to pursue stringent measures to ensure the protection

PAGE 10

MANILA — The government is diversifying its water sources to include recycling wastewater and constructing new infrastructure to ensure water security in the face of El Niño, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said on Tuesday, July 11.

Environment Undersecretary Carlos Primo David said the government is trying to reduce its dependence on Angat Dam in Bulacan, which is the main source of water for Metro Manila and neighboring provinces.

David noted the water level in Angat dropped to 178.8 meters—below the dam’s water 180-meter minimum operating level.

“One strategy is to diversify our sources of water and not to rely too much on Angat. There have been a couple of efforts over the last months to increase our sources of water,” said David, who is in charge of the newly-created Water Resources Management Office.

David cited the Kaliwa Dam project as one of the government’s medium-term strategies to solve the capital region’s water problem. Kaliwa Dam is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. El Niño is projected to last until early next year.

Some members of the DumagatRemontado indigenous group have expressed concern that the P12.2-billion

dam project—which will be funded by a loan from China—will submerge their ancestral domain, threaten their livelihoods and destroy their cultural heritage.

David added that the government— along with water concessionares Manila Water and Maynilad—is also implementing short-term fixes such as tapping Laguna de Bay as a water source and treating wastewater.

‘Conserve water’

The government has issued several

directives to government offices, barangay officials and residential managers, and reminders to the public to conserve water.

David said the government does not want a repeat of the 2019 El Niño phenomenon that caused Angat Dam’s water level to plunge to record lows, causing a water shortage in the capital region and nearby areas.

“We’re not in that situation yet. But we are fasttracking interventions

The Angat Dam is photographed as its water level continues to decline due to dry season on July 6. Philstar.com photo

Tuesday Vargas on-stage at Fiesta In America 2023

RENOWNED singer and film-TV star, Tuesday Vargas, will grace the stage at Fiesta In America’s 26th Anniversary celebration on Saturday, August 19, at 10am in Court A of American Dream Mall, East Rutherford, New Jersey. The announcement was made by Ogie Afable, Cultural Director of Fiesta In America.

Afable expressed excitement about Vargas’ participation, stating, “For over two decades, our cultural show has delighted attendees with performances by Philippine movie, TV, and music icons, as well as emerging artists in the New York-New Jersey area. Tuesday Vargas, with her award-winning acting and singing abilities, will bring a brilliant new dimension to Fiesta In America’s cultural extravaganza.” Admission to Fiesta In America and American Dream is free and open to the general public.

As the largest annual indoor Filipino event on the U.S. East Coast since 1996, Fiesta In America offers more than just a starstudded musical show. Anticipating over 10,000 Filipino attendees, the festival will showcase a wide array of Philippine investment opportunities, including various franchising businesses , as well as real estate developers. Visitors can also explore exportgrade native products, savor delectable Filipino cuisine, and discover local tourist attractions at the exhibitor area located in Court A of American Dream, the second largest mall in the United States.

“Our cultural program is as diverse as our exhibitors,” affirmed Afable. Fiesta In

Fiesta In America names its 2023 Grand Marshall

SENEN Cabalfin, RN, MSN, CNOR, will lead Fiesta In America’s 26th Anniversary celebration as the festival’s Grand Marshall on Saturday, August 19, 10am in Court A of American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey. “Business opportunities for Fil-Am investors will be a main theme of this year’s festivities,” remarked Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America’s President and CEO. “Senen Cabalfin, a successful Fil-Am entrepreneur who broke down imposing barriers to women-owned companies in the U.S., personifies the theme. As the first Grand Marshall in the history of our event that is nearing its third decade, Senen will set the mold for her successors.”

Admission to American Dream and Fiesta In America is free of charge, ensuring public access to the festival’s cultural program that will start at 10am. Highlights will include a santacruzan and Holy Mass, a daylong concert featuring Filipino entertainment icons and multicultural folk dance troupes, exhibitors led by Philippine franchisers under the umbrella of The Elite Group, native products, savory food, and more.

Grand Marshall Senen Cabalfin embodies the spunk, creativity and vision behind Fiesta In America itself, which, from an inauspicious start in 1996 with less than 500 attendees, has evolved into the biggest annual indoor Filipino event on the east coast.

America aims to highlight unique aspects of Philippine culture, starting with a Santacruzan parade in full regalia at 10am, produced by Freddy Burke, president of Catholic Action of Mary. The santacruzan parade will be followed by a Holy Mass on stage, culminating in a free multicultural concert around noon. Tuesday Vargas film credits include Last Song Syndrome (Globe Studios), The Girl in the Orange Dress (ABS-CBN), Ang Turkey Man Ay Pabo Rin (Studio 5), and I Will Always Love You (GMA Films). Her latest TV role was Ebony Ventura in Mga Lihim Ni Urduha (GMA Network). However, the live audience can also look forward to captivating performances by other stand-up comedians, fantastic local artists, as well as Latino folk-dance troupes and high-energy Latino bands, in recognition of the Philippines’ deep and enduring ties with Spanish culture.

To sponsor, exhibit, advertise, or attend Fiesta In America, please call 212-682-6610 or email info@fiestainamerica.com. Additional event details are available at www. fiestainamerica.com. n

While studying for her Master’s degree in Nursing Administration, Senen learned of a government funding opportunity from the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) to establish group homes for seniors in need of care. Sensing a breakthrough, she founded the not-for-profit Special Care Community Services, which built two New Jersey group facilities that provided safe, nurturing homes with allday nursing care for older adults. By this time, Senen was bursting with a startup-entrepreneur’s energy. “After a year, I decided to purchase Harbor Hall at Egg Harbor City, a facility that houses and supports 16 elderly and special needs individuals,” she recalls, “as well as Freehold Manor at Freehold Township, which houses 20 elderly clients.”

Senen did not jump into the fiercely competitive world of business with her eyes closed. She shunned the temptation to dive headlong into an industry in which she was unskilled or uninformed.

Instead, she traces the roots of her nursing-to-business career switch to her deep passion for the home healthcare industry. It was not a blind detour but a smart swerve, which capitalized on her deep nursing experience. “Being an entrepreneur means having a keen eye for spotting opportunities where others see obstacles,” she asserts. “I honed my skills in identifying gaps in the market, studying emerging trends, and understanding consumer needs. By leveraging these insights, I was able to identify lucrative ideas and create ventures that addressed market demands.”

Her move could not have been better timed. “The healthcare industry now has the highest success rate among all small business categories,” according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “It’s the industry where small businesses succeed the most: 85 percent of small businesses in social assistance are still up and running after one year, 5 percent above the average survival rate.” Now for the cherry on top of Senen’s foray as an entrepreneur: based on U.S, Small business Administration data, women own 13 million small businesses in the U.S., accounting for 42% of all small businesses.

Despite the success of womenowned companies like hers, Senen is quick to credit her husband Pete, who worked in the home improvement industry, as well as a male friend, who

DENR ‘diversifying’...

PAGE 8

so we do not reach that situation,” David said.

“Hopefully, the rain comes sooner or later.”

The WRMO is also helping plug leaks in government agencies that had water billions amounting to millions.

David said that the water bills of some government agencies amounted to P15 to P17 million. He noted

that some of these offices are compounds composed of dozens of buildings, and that their buildings have undetected leaks.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said Monday that the DENR, Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Agriculture are working together to mitigate the effects of El Niño. n

was in construction, for their crucial role in expanding the group-home business. “We started Mobility Special Care Housing, a nonprofit that builds permanent housing,” Senen recounts. “With funding from the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency and the DDD, we were able to build and own 11 group homes in Central-South Jersey.” Realizing that facilities for the aged needed caregivers, they continued to invest in the home caregiving industry. Executive Home Care, doing business as Mobility Special Home Care, was founded in 2013; it now eyes a fifth branch in New Jersey, “possibly Cherry Hill,” after facilities in Monmouth, Ocean, Somerset and Bergen. In Florida, the company operates in Boca Raton and Broward.

In the fast-moving world of business, branching out into related fields prevents stagnation. “I gradually diversified my healthcare-facilities model into complementary industries,” says Senen. It helped that people close to her have lent their own skills to the expansion. “My son’s expertise in home construction helped Mobility Construction to soar, and my daughter’s credentials as Doctor in Physical Therapy ensure comprehensive care for our homecare clients who needed recuperative services.” According to Senen, what unites these businesses is the “Trifold Solution” to an individual’s health problems, a strategic approach that melds prevention with treatment and recovery.

Public recognition naturally followed in Senen’s wake. She has been honored as a Parent of the Year, and has received numerous awards including for Community Service and for Clinical Excellence, as well as the 2012 Nursing Excellence Award for Structural Empowerment, the 2013 PNANJ Care Award for Nurse Entrepreneur of the Year, and 2023 Bayani ng Mundo –Nursing Heroes.”

To meet Grand Marshall Senen Cabalfin in person, and to sponsor, exhibit, advertise or attend Fiesta In America at American Dream, East Rutherford, NJ (Sat., Aug. 19, 10am) and the People’s Ball in Marriott Newark International Airport, NJ (Sun., Aug. 13, 12pm), call 212-682-6610 or email info@ fiestainameica.com. Other event details are available at www.fiestainamerica. com. n

SHOWER. Malabon Zoo owner Manny Tangco gives two-year-old tiger Bongbong a little relief from the heat on Tuesday, July 11. Malabon will experience water service interruption starting July 12 from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., along with Caloocan, Valenzuela, Navotas, Quezon City and Manila, according to Maynilad, but Tangco said they will cope with their conservation measures. PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Higher voter turnout for overseas Pinoys eyed...

Philippines spent around PHP417 million just to ensure that 600,000 voters would be able to cast their votes.

“Per capita, that would be about PHP400 per voter, (that’s) too expensive considering that we only have a 39-percent voter turnout. That’s the reason why the Comelec is now thinking outside the box,” he added.

In a separate statement, Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said the poll body is mandated to “study and explore the use of the internet to cast votes for overseas Filipino voters,” pursuant to Republic Act 9189 or the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003.

Meanwhile, the demonstration included the presentation of eight multinational internet voting solutions providers.

Among the participating solutions providers are Miru, Smartmatic, Dermalog, Indra, E-Corp, Tambuli Labs, Voatz and Thales.

Laudiangco said the output derived from the demonstration shall be crafted

as the country’s term of reference (TOR).

“Such TOR will then be the subject and basis of a competitive public bidding in time for the 2025 national and local elections,” he said.

The crafting of TOR is also expected to fit in the country’s situation in terms of its requirement for “cybersecurity, accuracy, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, integrity, convenience, sustainability, transparency, inclusivity, and auditability.”

Other agencies also supported the demonstration to assess the technology systems used by the internet voting solutions providers.

Participating offices include the Comelec Advisory Council, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Department of Science and Technology, and some representatives from the IT community in the country.

‘Step into the future’

OFW Party-list Representative

Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino lauded

the Comelec for its persistent efforts towards the fulfillment of an advocacy where the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will be able to vote online.

“Ngayong araw ay nakita na natin ang konkretong plano ng technology providers at ang malaking posibilidad na ito’y maisagawa sa 2025 elections.

(Today, we witnessed the concrete plan of our technology providers and the big possibility for it be implemented in 2025 elections). We’re finally stepping into the future of democracy,” Magsino said in a statement on Tuesday.

She said the House fully support the innovations being taken by the Comelec.

“However, to prevent any legal impediments that may derail this endeavor later on, we will pursue our proposed legislation. This will be a parallel effort of the OFW Party-list to ensure that internet voting will be a reality for the 1.8 million overseas voters by 2025 on top of supporting the allocations for the project in the budget deliberations for FY 2024 and years thereafter,” she said. (PNA) n

PCA arbitral ruling: Seven years after...

South China Sea had “no legal basis.”

Some dubious individuals who tried, and are still trying, to thrash the landmark win of the Philippines are totally wrong – because today, many nations recognize the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration ruling as legally binding, among them the most powerful nations known as the G7 –the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy, as well as the European Union.

Law of the Sea, to which China is a signatory.

China’s reclamation activities and construction of artificial islands have also endangered marine biodiversity, causing irreparable harm to the coral reef ecosystem. As early as 2019, marine scientists from the University of the Philippines’ Marine Science Institute have warned that the Philippines loses about P33 billion a year due to China’s reclamation and illegal fishing activities. A group of scientists also said the country’s food security is threatened with fish and marine species losing their habitat, while over 600,000 Filipino fishermen could lose their livelihood due to harassment and bullying by Chinese vessels.

the Philippines” tourism rebranding campaign.

In an interview on Monday, July 10 with dwPM Radyo 630, Philippine Tour Operators’ Association (PHILTOA) president Fe Abling-Yu said there is no letup in their “aggressive” drive to promote the country’s tourism, which has been slowly recovering from the impact of the more than two year pandemictriggered lockdown.

While the slogan for the new tourism campaign could “help” promote Philippine tourism, Yu emphasized tourism businesses such as tour operators “did not bank on the slogan that much kasi kaya namin sa (because we

can manage anyway in the) private sector.”

She also lauded the DOT for coming up with a new tourism campaign and addressing the mistakes early on.

“The DOT is properly performing its task of developing tourism. They’re not perfect but Secretary Frasco, being a lawyer, is quick to act,” Yu said mostly in Filipino.

Yu said the issue has not diminished the interest of both foreign and local tourists in exploring the Philippines.

“In the domestic scene, it didn’t pose a problem. We ourselves do the packaging –with images – when we make presentation before clients,”

she said.

Meanwhile, Yu said the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions starting last year has contributed to the socalled “revenge tourism” and “revenge tourism spending.”

She cited rising figures of foreign tourists availing themselves of their tour packages.

According to DOT data as of July 5, the country has welcomed a total of 2,767,138 tourists, composed of 2,529,971 foreigners and 237,167 overseas Filipinos.

Travelers from South Korea were so far the most numerous at 683,983, followed by the United States with 506,496, Australia with 136,606, Japan (131,939),

DOT chief going on family leave... BI says thorough...

Canada (122,865), China (112,837), Taiwan (94,308), United Kingdom (79,513), Singapore (76,778) and Malaysia (50,850).

According to Yu, they would offer tour packages in Manila – which she said is rich in history and heritage – to foreign tourists upon arrival in the country. Eventually, they would choose to proceed to destinations where they could relax.

“We would take them first to nearby places like Tagaytay and Pampanga where is lot to experience. And then slowly we take them to island destinations like Boracay, Coron, El Nido and Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Cebu and Davao,” she said. n

India, which simply said it has “noted the Award of the Arbitral Tribunal” when the ruling came out, has now revised its position – calling for adherence to the arbitral ruling. In a joint statement during the recent 5th India-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation, the Philippines and India “underlined the need for peaceful settlement of disputes and for adherence to international law, especially the UNCLOS and the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea in this regard.”

PAGE 8

of Filipino travelers amid complaints about long immigration queues and lengthy inspection procedures.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to combat human trafficking and protect the rights and welfare of individuals who may fall victim to these illegal activities,” he said.

The BI earlier confirmed NAIA’s commitment to expanding immigration areas to address challenges in queues. (PNA) n

Other claimant nations to the disputed territories in the South China Sea are also using the 2016 arbitral award as basis for their submissions that contest the excessive claims of China over the South China Sea, such as Malaysia that made a submission to the UN in December 2019 rejecting China’s historic rights and its nine-dash line claims; in May 2020, Indonesia submitted a note verbale to the UN challenging China’s wide-ranging claims in the South China Sea as having no international legal basis; in March 2020, Vietnam also submitted a note verbale objecting to China’s historic rights claims, saying Vietnam’s position is compatible with the key findings of the 2016 arbitral ruling.

Non-claimant nations such as Japan have also challenged China’s position in the South China Sea through a submission to the UN, citing the 2016 arbitration award, along with Australia, the UK, the U.S., France and Germany that rebuked China’s claims as being inconsistent with the UN Convention on the

Filipinos are alarmed at Chinese Coast Guard vessels continuing to harass, bully and obstruct our Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessels escorting boats on a resupply mission for Philippine Navy troops at the Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal, conducting dangerous maneuvers and coming within 100 yards of the PCG vessels. Last Friday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines also reported the presence of 48 Chinese fishing vessels in Del Pilar (Iroquois) Reef and Escoda (Sabina) Shoal within our exclusive economic zone, describing it as “alarming” and a “potential threat” to Recto Bank.

This Chinese aggression simply tells us one important fact: We must continue to push for strengthening our defense capabilities and working with our allies and partners in standing up for freedom of navigation and the international rule of law.

In any event, we are confident a peaceful resolution of issues between claimant nations to the disputed territories will eventually take place. More importantly, the ASEAN community would like to see the United States and China resolve their differences peacefully. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

TOUGH JOB. Workers are surrounded by steel structures at a building construction site in Timog Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, July 11. The PHP40 minimum wage hike in Metro Manila will take effect on July 16, raising the daily rate of non-agriculture workers from P570 to P610. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Success story: Triple triumphs scored for client on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

PATRICK was petitioned for a green card by his aunt as a cook for her restaurant. Interestingly, not many people are aware that family members can petition other family members

for an employment-based green card, provided it is a real job and the employer is earning enough to pay the worker’s salary.

After establishing that the position at his aunt’s restaurant was a bona fide job, and after the aunt was able to provide additional evidence and documents, the Department of Labor approved the labor certification application, and eventually, the immigrant petition for an alien worker was approved.

Patrick was also able to apply for lawful permanent status and was able get his green card in the U.S. without having to return to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, and his green card was approved without an interview.

Watch this success story on an

PAGE 12

6:30 PM PT

PM

NEPHEW PETITIONED FOR EMPLOYMENT BASED GREEN CARD ON AN ENCORE SUCCESS STORY CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY! This encore episode has three lessons and victories: 1) Family can petition other family members for a green card through an employment-based petition; 2) Patrick was able to get his green card in the U.S. without having to return to the U.S. Embassy in Manila; and 3) His green card was approved even without an interview. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 16 at

(9:30

ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to earn triple victories for Patrick (left) on a brand-new episode of Citizen Pinoy.

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

HOW many cells do we have in our body?

The figures often quoted are between 50 to 75 trillion cells. The average life span of the cells: red blood cells, 120 days; white blood cells, over a year; platelets, ten days; bone cells, 25-30 years; brain cells, lifetime; colon cells, 3-4 days; skin cells, 19-34 days; stomach cells, 2 days; and sperm cells, 2-3 days. Obviously, these cells regenerate under normal conditions.

What is the force of a human bite?

Tightly clenched teeth can generate a force as much as 55 pounds (25 kilos) on the incisors and 200 pounds (90.5 kilos) on the molars. For the molars, a greater force at 268 pounds (122 kilos) has been recorded.

Which is the largest organ in our body?

The skin is the heaviest and largest organ in the human body. The total surface area is 20 square feet or 1.98 square meters for an average individual and 25 square feet or 2.3 square meters for a larger person, and a weight of about 5.6 pounds or 2.7 kilograms. The liver is the second largest organ (1.1 to 1.5 kilos) and serves about 500 functions as the main chemical factory of the human body.

How long is the human intestine?

Our small intestine is about seven meters (22 feet) long, and the large intestine (colon) is about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length.

How much blood do we have?

A male weighing about 70 kilos (154 pounds) would have about 5.5 quarts or 5.2 liters of blood. A female of about 50 kilos (110 pounds) would have about 3.5 quarts or 3.3 liters. This blood is circulated through blood vessels that stretch to about 60,000 miles (95,500 kilometers), if placed end to end. The largest artery in the body is the aorta, the largest vein, the vena cava.

How fast does human hair grow?

On average, human hair grows about nine inches each year. It grows faster in the summer because warm weather increases blood circulation to the hair follicles.

Facts and trivia

The fingernails, on the other hand, grow about 0.8 inches (2 centimeters) every year. The middle fingernail grows the quickest. Fingernails grow four times faster than toenails.

What does the term LASER stand for?

The acronym LASER stands for “light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.” The applications of laser technology is far reaching and wide: micro matching of components and circuit boards for our computers; fiber-optic communications in long distance telephone networks; bar coding scanners; medical diagnostics and therapeutics; desktop printers, color scanners, etc; military target designators, etc.

Why the dimples in golf balls?

Dimples reduce the drag that will slow down the golf ball as it travels (some up to 300 yards or more) by minimizing the eddies or wake effect that drain the ball’s energy and velocity. This is achieved by the air clinging to the dimpled balls longer.

Can human voice break glass?

Yes, this has been proven in several experiments. The amplified high-pitched singing voice of a soprano or a tenor standing about ten feet from a wine glass cracked the glass in less than half a minute. Without amplification, this could conceivably be done with the glass about two feet away. The sheer force of the vibration from the vocal cords does it.

Do babies feel what moms feel?

Research has shown that the baby inside the womb feels what the mother is feeling. If the mother is happy, crying, or depressed, the baby could feel the emotion of the mother and feel the same. And it also cries in the womb but without sound. At this stage, the baby could also feel pain. Will a resected heart beat?

Yes, a human or animal heart cut out of the body will continue to beat on its own, until all the stored energy (glucose and derivative enzymes, etc.) in the cardiac muscle cells is used up. This is usually within five to eight minutes. The heart is the only organ in the body that has automaticity and rhythmicity, hence it beats automatically

and with rhythm even after resection from the body (as in the preparation for heart transplant).

How does icy temperature cause frostbite?

Prolonged exposure to extremely low temperature, mostly during winter in parts of the world where subzero weather is the rule, causes the capillaries (most distal tiny blood vessels), arterioles and venules (small arteries and veins), and regular sized blood vessels to constrict (go into spasm) and shut off the circulation to the toes, fingers, and ears, depriving these parts of the muchneeded blood. Frostbites, and even gangrene, are very common. Holding your finger directly against ice for prolonged period can also cause frostbite.

Do our hands have bacteria?

Yes, as a rule, everybody’s hands and fingers, the entire body, are full of “resident” bacteria 24/7, about 10 million in each hand. They do not get infected because the intact skin is a tough protective layer that prevents the bacteria from gaining access into the soft tissues and muscles, etc. underneath the dermal shield. Severe abrasion, contusion or cut will allow the bacteria to invade and infect the inner parts of these structures. Washing our hands daily, before and after eating, after using the bathroom or touching money, or any activity that will add more bacteria to our hands and fingers, would minimize the number of bacteria and ward off infection. And the same is true with our mouth, where a lot of bacteria reside, about 20 billion, of 700 different species. The intact mucus membrane in the mouth, like the intact skin, protects the deeper structures from getting infected.

How many muscles do we use to smile?

To produce a smile, we use seventeen (17) facial muscles. To frown, we use 40% more muscles, 43. So, let’s exert less effort, use less muscles, and use less energy, by smiling more and having a happier and more attractive face.

When was the first shopping mall built?

In 1896, built at Roland Park, Baltimore, Maryland, United States. West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada, is one of the world’s largest, covering 5.2 million

Success story: Triple triumphs...

encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 16 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM

ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

Citizen Pinoy is also

available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

The first thing Matteo did after he married Sarah

By Marinel Cruz Inquirer.net

A WISE man once told me, ‘Just say sorry,’” quipped actor Matteo Guidicelli to explain how he has managed to maintain a harmonious home with pop superstar Sarah Geronimo, his wife of three years.

Matteo tried to clarify why an item in a game that he and Sarah played with selected members of the show biz press recently, called “Who’s Likely To,” revealed that, between him and Sarah, he is more likely to say sorry first whenever they find themselves in an argument or misunderstanding.

“Sometimes, I also stand beside her at the sink and pretend to wash one plate. But really, I would often walk away (from the dining table) right away,” said Matteo, laughing, after another item in the game revealed that Sarah is more likely to be the one to wash the dishes at home.

Sarah joined Matteo as a brand ambassador of the international financial services company in its latest campaign, titled “Partners for Life.”

“Sarah, on the other hand, likes washing dishes,” Matteo declared. “It’s not like I enjoy it,” Sarah interjected. “It’s just that I don’t like seeing our dishes and kitchen stuff all piled up in the sink.”

Sarah then recalled the time she saw Matteo

square feet (480,000 square meters) on a 121-acre (49 hectares) lot. There are 828 stores and service centers in it, with parking space for 20,000 cars.

* * *

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

the first time. “We were just boyfriend-girlfriend then. When I saw him do it, I thought, ‘This guy could be my husband in the future,’” she said.

Matteo then proudly disclosed that Sarah is already a certified baker after finishing a course at the Heny Sison Culinary School. “She makes good lunch, too. Sarah stopped eating meat (in 2017), so she serves plant-based and seafood dishes.”

Certified baker

The proud husband continued: “Recently, she finally succeeded in making croissants. While she was still practicing, I would usually smell butter and dough in the kitchen. One day, I smelled them in our bathroom. She did her ‘proofing’ there because she said the place was cooler and more humid. She then brought it to our bedroom, and the dough finally rose.

is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * *

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

* * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate,

Sarah used to make good tres leches, too.”

The couple got married on Feb. 20, 2020 and were forced to live by themselves—”and one dog”—for six months during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. “While it was a challenge, I also had a great time,” said Matteo. “We learned a lot,” added Sarah.

Matteo said this marked the start of their life together so he had to make sure that they started it right. “The first thing I did was open an Excel spreadsheet. This was on Feb. 22, 2020. All of our expenses are listed there up to this day. I did this because I wanted to be a responsible husband,” he said. “We also have your Papa, Tito Gian, to thank because he has been very supportive and helpful to us as a married couple when it came to how to handle our finances and investments,” added Sarah.

Matteo said that

PAGE 11 PAGE 13

newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, bestowed by then Indiana Governor, later a Senator, and a presidential candidate, the late Honorable Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Matteo Guidicelli and Sarah Geronimo Photo from Instagram/@matteog washing plates for

Megaworld International launches KKK raffle promo in partnership with NHCP

MEGAWORLD International

celebrates the Philippines’ 125th Independence anniversary in partnership with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) through the Kalayaan, Kinabukasan, at Kasaysayan (KKK) raffle promo that offers a chance to win a brandnew condominium unit at One Eastwood Avenue, an investment for education, and a limitededition home furniture piece from the renowned Filipino designer Ito Kish, among other prizes.

The global marketing specialist of Megaworld Corporation –Megaworld International – aims to join the NHCP in igniting nationhood, promoting Philippine history and cultural heritage among the Filipino people with the KKK, highlighting the marketing group’s biggest raffle promo to date.

The raffle promo will run from June 25, 2023 to June 25, 2024. Participants will get more chances of winning minor prizes with three quarterly draws and the major prizes in the grand raffle draw [per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB170502 Series of 2023].

Kalayaan, Kinabukasan at Kasaysayan raffle promo hopes to showcase Filipino artistry, hospitality, and world-

class investments to the global community. Megaworld International ties with the best and the biggest brands to date: Megaworld Corporation, GlobalEstate Resorts, Inc., Suntrust Properties Inc., Emperador Inc., Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Megaworld Club Access, Pick-ARoo, Ito Kish, Makina Watches, and Roots Collective.

The promo is open to everyone who purchased or sold one (1) unit of Megaworld Corporation, Global-Estate Properties, Inc., Suntrust Properties, Inc., and

Stateland Inc. projects from any of the participating projects – for a minimum of P6,000,000.

Major prizes are categorized into three: The Kalayaan Package, Kinabukasan Package, and Kasaysayan Package.

In the spirit of nationhood, Megaworld International affirms its corporate vision to uplift lives, impact society and help shape the nation through the KKK raffle promo. At the core of this endeavor, the international marketing group visualizes a financially-free country by investing in world-

class Megaworld properties. The company is exerting efforts to increase the demand for the nation’s real estate landscape, so its homegrown brands and partners may reach the worldwide market.

This raffle promo aims to connect with the different Filipino societies all over the globe: whether to the permanent residents abroad, dual citizens, or Filipino workers who stay overseas – all in an effort to bridge the country’s heritage and financial freedom objectives to the countrymen, wherever they may be.

Megaworld International implements various activities –both in online and offline platforms – such as roadshow presentations, conferences, expos, recruitment events, events sponsorships, business summits, and financial

literacy talks. For this year-long promo, Megaworld International will participate in NHCP’s series of events in celebration of the 125th Philippine Independence anniversary.

The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is a recognized government agency whose mission is to promote the history and cultural heritage of the Philippines through various means such as conducting and supporting research, information dissemination, and implementation of educational activities to popularize Philippine history.

Megaworld International is the international marketing specialist of property giant Megaworld Corporation, the Philippines’ leading residential condominium developer office space developer, and pioneer of the live-workplay-learn lifestyle concept. The international group has been proudly showcasing world-class MEGA townships for 23 years to over 60 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.megaworldinternational. com; on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/ megaworldintlmktg; and on Instagram: https://instagram.com/ megaworld_intl/. n

The memorandum of agreement was signed on January 2023 between Megaworld International’s Executive Vice President and Managing Director Maria Victoria M. Acosta (center left); National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ OIC Executive Director Carminda R. Arevalo (center right); witnessed by Vice President for Marketing and Customer Care Mia A. Buenaventura (left); and Deputy Executive Director for Programs and Projects Alvin Alcid (right).

Celebrating the life and legac y of Chef King Phojanakong

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

Phojanakong, the wife of the late Chef King Phojanakong, has unveiled a remarkable foundation that embodies the indomitable spirit of her beloved husband. This foundation serves as a beacon of hope, inspiring others to rise above adversity and make a lasting impact in their communities.

ANNABEL

In the wake of Chef King’s untimely passing earlier this year, Annabel was profoundly moved by the countless lives he had touched. Witnessing the outpouring of support and the genuine desire of people to carry on his legacy, Annabel embarked on a journey to create something extraordinary.

“The realization that Chef King had made such a tremendous impact on others hit me profoundly,” Annabel shared. “I felt an overwhelming urge to harness that same power of generosity and create a foundation that would continue to transform lives.”

Despite not having prior experience in establishing a foundation, Annabel’s determination and unwavering belief propelled her forward. With an amazing circle of friends by her side, she embraced the challenge, recognizing that

greatness often emerges from unexpected places.

“I may not be an entrepreneur or a foundation expert, but I knew deep down that this was my calling,” Annabel expressed. “I saw an opportunity to heal and create a legacy that my children and future generations would forever

be proud of.”

Thus, the Chef King Phojanakong Foundation was born, a testament to the enduring spirit of Chef King and his unwavering dedication to the causes he held dear. Food equity, urban farming, and culinary scholarships are just a few areas in which the foundation seeks to make a profound impact.

Chef King’s passion for creating positive change was unparalleled. He poured his heart and soul into advocating for these causes, even going so far as to invest his own resources to open a restaurant in the vibrant heart of Brooklyn.

Annabel’s vision for the foundation extends beyond geographical boundaries. She aspires to touch the lives of children in underprivileged communities, offering them the chance to explore the world of culinary arts and empowering them to dream big.

“My dream is for the foundation to serve as

a catalyst for change, expanding its reach to touch countless lives,” Annabel shared. “Through our efforts, we aim to inspire children and provide them with the tools they need to turn their dreams into reality.”

Inaugural scholarship benefit dinner

The mission of the organization is to continue King’s life of service to the culinary arts community, and other causes important to him. The Chef King Phojanakong Foundation has received its 501(c)3 status and held its first fundraising event last month.

Restaurateurs from around the city donated their time, food, and expertise to the fundraising effort. Event proceeds will provide culinary scholarships to students at the Culinary Institute of America, where King graduated from. The goal is to help the next generation of chefs who will make a positive impact in the city, both in charitable arenas and in the food scene. The foundation is dedicated to preserving his memory as it serves and supports others.

Over 200 friends, family, and supporters gathered together to honor the memory of Chef King, and the event raised over $100,000 through the generous contributions of talented chefs, donors, and supporters.

The funds raised will be used to establish the King Phojanakong Memorial Scholarship, which aims to preserve King’s legacy

Chef King Phojanakong in front of his restaurant in the Lower East Side called Kuma Inn. He also opened a sister restaurant in Brooklyn and he called it Umi Nom. Photos courtesy of Chef King Phojanakong Foundation

Anabell with Chef King’s mom Emma Chef King and Annabel

The chefs prepared Kuma Inn’s signature dishes such as lechon, lumpia, Tita Em’s adobo chicken wings, squid salad, and sauteed Chinese sausage with Thai chili-lime sauce and sticky rice.

Among the chefs and colleagues in the culinary industry who joined the fundraiser were Augelyn Francisco of Kabisera, David Bank of Pure Thai House, Tim Mussig of JB Prince Company, and Jeanette Arcillas of ABC Kitchen.

15

The first thing Matteo did after he married...

whenever they had to sit down with their accountants, especially when it was time to file their taxes, he would make sure that Sarah was present during the meetings. “I told her that she wouldn’t understand everything in one sitting, but it’s good that we’re both exposed to ‘adulting’ stuff like this. At least, when it comes to our finances, we both know what we’re talking about,” he said.

Legs and brains

Maui finds peace and fulfillment amid separation

By Ronnie CaRRasCo iii ManilaTimes.net

COMPARED to how she was some years ago, Maui Taylor couldn’t be any happier and more fulfilled now. Not only is her career going great guns, the former Viva Hot Babes member has — thank heavens — freed herself from what looked like an awkward living arrangement with her exhusband.

It was shortly after Holy Week when the 39-year-old actress ended her 10-year marriage to a non-showbiz guy. Early on, Maui shared with an online entertainment news outlet how peculiar their setup was.

“The first seven years was okay. But the three months that followed, that’s the time we both decided to part ways,” Maui recounted.

The weird part, however, was that the ex-husband didn’t make her leave the house, “Instead, we were still living under one roof only that I stayed and slept in a separate room with the boys.”

The boys Maui was referring to are their sons who were practically clueless about their parents’ separation.

Didn’t her kids at some point ask her why she chose to share the same bed with them?

“They were asking me, but all I say is that I got vertigo, which is also true. As much as we could, we didn’t let the children feel that we have separated.”

All throughout that threeyear period, Maui and her expartner had managed to keep

their setup under the rug.

None of their boys ever suspected that their daddy and mommy were no longer the sweet, clingy couple they used to see. In fact, not a day passed without Maui and the guy doing the same normal thing.

“We were perfectly composed in every action. As usual, we would all gather at the dinner table, engage in conversations. Just casual. Hardly did the guy and I show any sign that something was wrong.”

Even with the way Maui dealt with her ex and vice versa remained the same.

“Except that we didn’t ask each other questions. You know, in a married couple, the wife would usually ask, ‘How was your day at the office?; or in my case, he wouldn’t ask me how the film shoot went. It was strictly a no questions asked situation.”

Seemingly tired of the odd setup, Maui finally hit rock bottom. She woke up one day realizing how pointless it was to endure such an arrangement any longer.

If I may backtrack, while she was telling all this, not once has Maui hinted at the cause of their falling-out.

Did Maui’s sexy screen image have anything to do with it? If so, wasn’t her exhusband aware of this prior to their marriage? It appears, however, Maui couldn’t care less whatever the guy’s reason was.

The more important thing is that she’s way past that awful stage to prepare herself for the imminent challenges of being a solo parent. n

Matteo then said that he would notice growth and maturity in Sarah each day. “She has now become a very talented and independent woman. She knows what she wants and is very eager to learn,” he said. In the businesses they’ve put up together, so far—like G Productions Inc. and G Studios—Matteo said he was merely “the legs that keep things moving, while Sarah is the brains.”

He added: “I always discuss with Sarah, ‘Let’s

prepare not for today or for the next day, but for when we already have kids, and for when they go to high school or college. We want to think long term.”

While the Guidicellis are undoubtedly one of the most hardworking talents in the industry, they also make time for their favorite form of leisure: traveling. “I keep telling Matteo that I’m not a materialistic person. I’m fine as long as we have enough funds for travel and good food,” Sarah declared.

“Of course, our work requires us to be mindful of our aesthetics. It is our responsibility to protect our image and reputation, but other than that, I’m OK. What’s more important to me is to be able to create beautiful memories with him.”

Incidentally, Sarah is the voice behind the new Sun Life jingle, titled “KasaKasama,” a duet with Iñigo Pascual, who cowrote the song and is himself a Sun Life ambassador. n

Celebrating the life and legacy of...

PAGE 14

and provide aspiring culinary professionals with a world-class education at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. This scholarship will equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the culinary industry, both in the kitchen and in leadership positions. It also empowers them to give back to their communities and make a positive impact on New York City.

Annabel expressed her heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part in making the evening a tremendous success. The support and generosity of the attendees and contributors have been instrumental in furthering the mission of the foundation.

Among the chefs and colleagues in the culinary industry who joined the fundraiser were Augelyn Francisco of Kabisera, David Bank of Pure Thai House, Tim Mussig of JB Prince Company, and Jeanette Arcillas of ABC Kitchen. The chefs prepared Kuma Inn’s signature dishes such as lechon, lumpia, Tita Em’s adobo chicken wings, squid salad, and sauteed Chinese sausage with Thai chili-lime sauce and sticky rice.

Lasting legacy

Chef King was known for his instrumental role in bringing Filipino cuisine to the American culinary mainstream. He passed away on January 2, 2023, in Manhattan at the age of 54. His untimely death followed a six-month-long battle with various illnesses, ultimately succumbing to a rare brain amoeba.

Born and raised in New York City’s Stuyvesant Town, King Phojanakong attended Bronx High School of Science before pursuing his culinary education at The Culinary Institute of America, graduating in 1998.

Growing up with a Filipino mother and a Thai father, King’s passion for cooking was nurtured at home. Childhood summers spent in the Philippines further ignited his interest in the culinary world and instilled in him a deep appreciation for community and culture.

After completing his studies, King honed his culinary skills under renowned chefs Alex Lee and Daniel Boulud at Restaurant Daniel. He was

also part of the opening team at David Bouley’s Danube.

In 2003, King realized his dream by opening Kuma Inn on New York’s Lower East Side, where he delighted diners with his innovative Filipino and Southeast Asian cuisine for over 15 years.

King Phojanakong’s culinary prowess extended beyond his restaurant. He created the acclaimed Bronx Hot Sauce, using peppers grown in the borough’s community gardens, and went on to inspire the Small Axe Peppers Hot Sauce initiative, collaborating with community gardens in ten cities. He also contributed to The Bronx Salad, a partnership with The Institute for Family Health, and lent his expertise as a consultant for esteemed companies such as Campbell’s Soup Company, San Miguel Produce, The United Soybean Board, and The Culinary Institute of America.

Throughout his career, Chef King made notable appearances on popular culinary shows, including “Cutthroat Kitchen,” “The Rachael Ray Show,” Cooking Channel’s “Food(ography),” and “Mike Colameco’s Real Food.” He also launched Cook Like King, a platform through which he shared his knowledge by teaching classes and organizing events.

Chef King was a hands-on dad to the couple’s 12-year-old daughter Phebe and 6-year-old son Eduard, who were both present at the fundraiser. He often dropped off and picked up his kids from school, took them to activities, and made gourmet meals for his family and friends.

A doting husband, a wonderful son, and a large presence in his community, King left behind a lasting legacy in both his professional and personal lives, where he not only brought Filipino cuisine to the forefront but also championed community engagement and cultural appreciation.

Navigating her grief

In the face of personal grief, Annabel offers a remarkable perspective on healing and moving forward. She firmly believes that grief is an expression of the love shared with those we’ve lost. With courage

and resilience, she carries her grief with grace, allowing it to fuel her determination to live life to the fullest.

While grief remains a part of her journey, Annabel has found solace in embracing her emotions and using them as fuel for personal growth. She believes in the importance of normalizing grief, encouraging others to embrace their vulnerability, and seeking support when needed.

“Every tear shed is a testament to the profound love we shared,” Annabel reflected. “I refuse to hide my grief; instead, I choose to embrace it as a reminder of the extraordinary bond we had.”

Annabel acknowledges the significance of a strong support system during times of sorrow.

Grateful for the overwhelming number of visitors who offered their love and support during Chef King’s hospital stay, she draws strength from the genuine connections he fostered throughout his life.

“He was an everyday rock star, touching the hearts of everyone he encountered,” Annabel fondly recalled. “His impact was immeasurable, and I will forever be proud of the incredible person he was.”

Looking back on her last conversations with Chef King, Annabel recalled their simple exchanges of greetings and goodnights. Due to his loss of speech in the final weeks, much of their communication occurred through text messages. Although there was no formal goodbye or closure, Annabel cherishes the everyday moments they shared.

As Annabel sets forth on this aweinspiring journey with the Chef King Phojanakong Foundation, she invites others to join her in spreading positivity and creating meaningful change. In embracing Chef King’s legacy, she inspires people around her to overcome obstacles, pursue their passions, and leave an enduring imprint on the world.

In Annabel’s words at the event, “We have the power to create a world filled with compassion, opportunity, and delicious experiences. Let us embrace the legacy of Chef King and embark on this remarkable journey together.” n

The former Viva Hot Babes member has freed herself from what looked like an awkward living arrangement with her ex-husband.

Photo from Instagram/@therealmauitaylor