071423 - San Diego Edition

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 3-under 69 on Sunday, July 9 for a threeshot 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 three-shot 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

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

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 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 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), accusing Jollibee of unfair labor practices.

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

Imee questions ‘covert’ US military flights in PH

by marlon

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

DTI: Philippines to generate $88B in foreign investments this year from Marcos trips

by ramon royandoyan Philstar.com

MANILA — The Trade department said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s trips abroad bore fruit by generating investments.

In a briefing on Wednesday, July 12, the Department of Trade and Industry’s data revealed that investments generated from the trips would hit a total estimated $88 million this year. The data only covered the haul in the first half of 2023. The data release came months

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cleared with airport authorities ostensibly because of “clerical errors.”

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

u PAGE 3

Tourism chief Frasco still has Marcos’ trust despite ‘Love Philippines’ video mess

by Jean mangaluz Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Friday, July 7 said that he still trusts Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco despite the “Love Philippines” campaign’s shaky start.

Speaking to the media at Fort Bonifacio, Marcos said that there was no question that he still trusted her.

“Yes absolutely. No question. I spoke to

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

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.

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 u PAGE 2

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, 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

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrived from his trip to Davos in Switzerland for the World Economic Forum on January 21, 2023. Facebook / Bongbong Marcos

Dispute could turn SCS into ‘sea...

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.

‘Dramatic increase’ seen in Filipino patrol ships...

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.

“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 TawiTawi,” Ileto added.

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

“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, subject-matter expert exchange, and joint and combined maritime exercises,” Ileto added.

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

China has been challenging the Philippines’ ownership of 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.

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.

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 oiland 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 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 laser-pointing 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.

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.

“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

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 confidence-building 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

Marcos on nurse exodus: We’re victims...

Philippines,” he added.

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

“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 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

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 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-from-home 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 LeeBrago, Alexis Romero/Philstar.com) 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

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

DTI: Philippines to...

after questions cropped up surrounding the president’s foreign trips. These trips, packaged by the administration to drum up investment interests, among others, are shouldered by taxpayers.

The Philippine president hit the ground running when stepped into Malacañang, taking eight trips abroad in his first seven months in office. That said, these investments are crucial in generating jobs around the country.

“We expect some more to ripen and lead to an inflow of investments,” said DTI Sec. Alfredo Pascual.

The DTI indicate that the amount represented six businesses that registered with the country’s Board of Investments and other investment promotion agencies.

The trade chief added they were able to build a pipeline that could generate around $70 billion in investments.

That said, data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas showed the inflow of foreign direct investments was pared by 18% in the first four months to $2.92 billion over concerns of a global economic slowdown driven by rising inflation. n

Imee questions ‘covert’ US military...

PAGE 1

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 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

Tourism chief Frasco still...

her, I have been actually, but in fact since all of these came to the fore,” he said.

Marcos said that he saw how fast she moved after she terminated the agreement with the advertising company behind the controversial tourism promotion video.

“She has also since then put under review all of the other contracts that were in the

pipeline. In my opinion, she has it under control, she knows what to do, what she has done so far inspires confidence that she will fix the problem and that the campaign of ‘Love the Philippines’ will be as successful as we hope for it to be,” said Marcos in English and Filipino. The campaign’s tourism video was found out to have used footage from other countries, sparking controversy. n

any violations in our maritime territory and 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.

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

Fil-Am golfer makes history, wins US...

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 threeway 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-year-old 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

Corpuz was born to May and Marcos Corpuz on March 20, 1998. Allisen’s

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 runner-up. 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 and tied for fourth with 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 to tie for ninth. She now has top 10s in both majors as a pro, though this time she was never in the mix. (Inquirer.net with repots from AP) n

SHOWER. Malabon Zoo owner Manny Tangco gives two-year-old tiger Bongbong a little relief from the heat on Tuesday, July

and Manila, according to Maynilad, but Tangco said they will cope with their conservation measures.

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

Sen. Imee Marcos Inquirer.net photo

Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco

Photo from Facebook/DOT

Allisen

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

Former Jollibee workers protest in...

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

After

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 terminate an employee at any time and for any reason.

FYLPRO announces summer 2023 class of Tayo fellows

THE Tayo Fellowship Program is excited to announce the selection of twenty-four Filipino American young leaders into its Summer 2023 cohort. Through the fellowship, Tayo Fellows will have the unique experience of contributing to the growing work of Tayo’s online misinformation and public health projects and spearhead the development of the Tayo Courageous Conversations Pilot Program.

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. (By

“In order to find something that’s never been found, you need to be lost first,” said TJ Simba-Medel, FYLPRO Tayo Fellowship Director, “In that spirit, I am excited to go into the unknown with this historical cohort as we embark on a journey of reimagining what it means to be courageous in our conversations with one another.”

The 2023 Tayo Fellows are:

• Alexa Lauve Simon (she/ they) – Fremont, CA

• Alexandra Reyes (she/her) –Philadelphia, PA

• Alyssa Caldito (she/her) –Ann Arbor, MI

• Angela Labador (siya/she) –Tempe, AZ

• Angela Rose David (she/her)

– Los Angeles, CA

• Angelica Ahmann (she/her)

– Madison, WI

• Ania Ty (she/her) –Washington, DC

• Caitlin Jayne Agnes (she/ her) – Philadelphia, PA

• Danielle Mangabat (she/ her) – Atlanta, GA

• Dasha Pates (she/her) –Aurora, IL

• Erika Acosta (she/her) –Philadelphia, PA

• Faye Suficiencia (she/her) –San Antonio, TX

• Janeen Simon (she/her) –Arroyo Grande, CA

• Janeva Nicole Dimen (she/ her) – Wellesley, MA

• Jayson Cayanan (he/him) –Chicago, IL

• Jazmine Alcon (she/her) –Jersey City, NJ

• Jelynn Tatad (she/her) –Providence, RI

• Katrina Itona (she/her) –New Milford, NJ

• Katrina Manrique (she/her)

– Los Angeles, CA

• Keala Marie Marasigan (she/her) – Corvallis, OR

• Kim Navarro (she/her) –Washington, DC

• Lily Varilla (she/her) –Madison, WI

• Malakai Espinosa (he/him) –Los Angeles, CA

• Nina Mondero (she/her) –Chicago, IL.

This year’s cohort marks the Tayo Fellowship Program’s fourth cohort and its largest cohort to date, nearly tripling in size to recognize the diverse talent, perspectives, and motivations of Filipino American young leaders within this year’s application pool.

This cohort consists of fellows who are in high school, college, and working professionals. This year’s cohort includes new regions represented with fellows from Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington.

This program will allow our fellows to participate in various projects, research, events, and professional development opportunities. Some projects include web content writing, event planning, organizational development, surveys and

research, audio and video

production, and misinformation and disinformation tracking. These projects will directly relate to focus areas the Tayo fellows are interested in, including civic engagement and policy, solidarity across communities, mental health, and public health and health disparities.

To support this year’s cohort, the Tayo Fellowship Program Team will consist of TJ SimbaMedel as Fellowship Director, Krystle Canare as Mental Health Advisor, and the addition of former Tayo Fellows, Sarah Mae Dizon and Joed Garbo, who will serve as Fellowship Program Managers to support fellows in their day-to-day operations and Courageous Conversations curriculum development.

“As a former Tayo fellow, I’m excited to rejoin the fellowship and support this summer’s programming. I’m thrilled to welcome the largest cohort of Tayo fellows, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences that will contribute to our reflective discussions and purposeful projects. I can’t wait to witness the incredible synergy among this inspiring cohort of Fil-Am leaders from all corners of the country,” said Joed Garbo.

“I’m excited to see how this year’s group of bright, talented leaders will shape Tayo’s vital work,” said Sarah Mae Dizon, FYLPRO Tayo Fellowship Manager and former fellow from the 2020 cohort. “The diversity in this year’s cohort

will certainly help us address the unique, nuanced needs of Filipina/o communities across the country and the diaspora.”

All of these endeavors expand Tayo’s ability to achieve its mission and vision of becoming an Innovative data hub that empowers Filipina/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable future.

Tayo, a project of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), is an innovative data hub that empowers Filipinx/a/o communities by collecting data, fostering partnerships, publishing culturally relevant insights, and developing leaders to create an equitable and sustainable future. For more information, visit tayohelp.com.

The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is a network of high performing, next-generation leaders who advance the Philippines and the Filipino people through their advocacy and expertise in various industries. It continually expands the pipeline of Filipino young leaders in the diaspora by connecting them to the motherland and fostering collaborative multinational relationships that create innovations and support the socio-economic progress of the global Filipino community. For more information, visit fylpro.org. (FYLPRO Release) n

City of San Diego to invest $12.2M into citywide arts and culture activities

Funding will support nonprofit organizations in boosting arts experiences for all

SAN DIEGO – To promote greater public participation in artistic and cultural activities, the City of San Diego will grant funds to 186 local nonprofit organizations this fiscal year. The funding will support programs and activities such as film and video screenings, exhibits, performances, festivals, parades and other neighborhood events.

“From San Ysidro to Rancho Bernardo, we are investing in our city’s dynamic cultural sector to ensure all San Diegans have access to meaningful arts experiences,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “Our annual support of local arts and cultural organizations fosters a stronger economy, creates more jobs, gives our city a sense of identity and enhances the lives of San Diegans and our visitors from around the world.”

The City’s Commission for Arts and Culture annually funds local nonprofit organizations to cultivate and expand arts and culture activities in all City Council districts. The Commission’s Organization Support Program (OSP) and Creative Communities San Diego (CCSD) award the funding, which is generated through a local allocation of Transient Occupancy Tax collected from visitors who stay overnight in hotels, motels and other similar accommodations.

The OSP provides general operating support to nonprofit arts and culture organizations to help deliver programs and activities that offer residents and tourists direct access to arts and culture opportunities. This positively impacts San

Diegans’ quality of life and tourism. In fiscal year 2024, which runs from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, the OSP will award more than $10.1 million to113 organizations.

While the OSP supports nonprofit organizations, CCSD provides support for neighborhood projects. For the fiscal year 2024, the City’s CCSD will award more than $2 million to 73 projects. The city will announce the OSP and CCSD application process for fiscal year 2025 in the fall of this year.

“As the region’s largest annual funder for arts and culture, the City of San Diego puts creativity into action daily,” said Jonathon Glus, Executive Director for Arts and Culture. “These investments provide a lasting impact through job creation, they build stronger communities and empower arts and cultural organizations to reach and engage all San Diegans. On behalf of City staff, the Commission for Arts and Culture, and our arts and culture communities, I’d like to thank Mayor Todd Gloria and City Councilmembers for their support of these high-impact funding awards that improve the economic health of the sector and prioritize creative community-building and arts experiences for residents and visitors this fiscal year.”

The City of San Diego advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and institutions and systems that amply creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/arts-culture.

(City of San Diego Release) n

Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n

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 community-supported worker protest in a Jollibee location in North America.

Dateline PhiliPPines

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

DOT chief going on family leave

secretary and her head executive assistant.

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.

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 Garcia-Frasco?

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 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.

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

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 Marcos.

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

u PAGE 7

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

Comelec office in Quezon City. Philstar.com file photo

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.

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 highincome countries facing a nursing shortage ease their rules for migrant workers and dangle incentives such as resettlement for nurses’ families in the destination 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

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

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 “ninedash 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,”

Commonsense

INSPITE of the hue and cry over some “stock footages” featuring tourism attractions in other countries, the freshly launched country brand “Love the Philippines” of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is here to stay. And after what were all said and done, so to speak, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco also remains in the Cabinet of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (PBBM). Claiming no public funds were paid for the “mood video,” Frasco asserted the rights of the DOT to terminate the contract with the agency that produced the P49-million video used in the launch of “Love the Philippines” last June 27.

PBBM virtually saved the day for the embattled Sec. Frasco whom he credited for taking decisive actions on the matter. Asked over the weekend if Frasco still enjoys his trust and confidence, the chief executive retorted: “I think she has it under control. She knows what to do. What she has done so far inspires confidence that

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

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.”

she will fix the problem and that the campaign of Love the Philippines will be as successful as we hope for it to be.”

The new country brand “Love the Philippines” initially raised the hackles of Albay Rep. Joey Salceda. The feisty lawmaker deplored in strongest terms the depiction of the iconic Mt. Mayon of Albay into mere pixel in the country brand logo.

Following the furor, the DDB Philippines that produced the unwanted “stock footages” apologized for it. While describing the use of “mood video” as a standard practice in their industry, the agency accepted its full responsibility. When the dust settled, the DDB Philippines was the only party, so far, held accountable for the entire brouhaha.

A lawyer by profession, Frasco immediately announced the DOT will investigate how such “stock footages” came into this DOT contract with the DDB Philippines. Even after the advertising agency issued a public apology and its contract terminated, Frasco absorbed the full blowback of the DOT fiasco. However, this averted what could have been a full-blown scandal.

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 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. 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.”

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 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.

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

‘Mahalin ang Pilipinas’

Congressman Salceda still believes though Sec. Frasco still has a lot of explaining to do on this DOT fiasco. As far as lawmakers are concerned, Salceda pointed out, Sec. Frasco must present and submit the results and recommendations of the DOT’s internal investigation into this controversy-rocked contract with the DDB Philippines. Since the 19th Congress is still in recess, the congressional inquiry won’t happen yet until sessions of both chambers resume this July 24. Salceda and Frasco are actually political allies dating back during the vice presidential campaign of former Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte who run and won in the May, 2022 elections. Running for re-election as Mayor of Liloan City in Cebu, Frasco was the official spokesperson of then Mayor Sara. Salceda, on the other hand, coined the Ro-Sa tandem that pushed for the campaign for ex-VP Leni Robredo as presidential bet with Mayor Sara as her VP runningmate.

Long before “Love the Philippines” got mired in the DOT controversy, its Tagalog translation – “ Mahalin ang Pilipinas ” – has been the

battle cry, so to speak, of VP Sara since she first became an elected politician. So it should not be surprising that the DOT adopted “Love the Philippines” country brand which loosely translated in English means: “ Mahalin ang Pilipinas .”

Following the career track in politics of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, she first got elected as vice mayor of Davao City in 2007 to 2010 while her father was then mayor of their home city. The father-and-daughter switched positions as mayor and vice mayor of Davao City.

With a maternal grandfather a Jewish who fled to the Philippines from Germany during World War II, VP Sara was born to a half-German mother, Elizabeth Zimmerman (nee) Duterte. When she became VP, Sara kept her public espousal for love of her birthplace – the Philippines.

As VP, she has kept standard extro or ending of her public speeches which she always caps with ardent appeals: “ Mahalin natin ang Pilipinas .”

Salceda believes VP Sara’s love for country is much more demonstrated as the concurrent Secretary of the Department of Education

(DepEd). Being a mother of three children, he credited VP Sara for being able to ensure that children and students went back to school safely without any COVID-19 resurgence.

The gradual resumption last year to the face-to-face classes at all levels of schools that got underway nationwide paved the way for the “national reopening” of the Philippines after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, Salceda recalled.

To Salceda, this is the top “executive accomplishment” of the PBBM administration in its first year in office.

After more than two years of the closures of schools during the pandemic, Salceda believes the onsite and physical return to schools of students contributed a lot to the economic recovery of the country as well.

Giving PBBM a grade of eight in a scale of ten as the highest, Salceda credited VP Sara to some of the better performances in key areas of governance in the first year in office of this administration. This is the same love for country, Salceda explained, where VP Sara is obviously coming from in her strong support for the approval of

100 yards of the PCG vessels. Last Friday, July 7, 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

the bill on the return of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) as mandatory in the college curriculum. VP Sara is herself a member of the ROTC. She got confirmed by the Congressional Commission on Appointments on her promotion as Army Colonel.

Naturally, VP Sara also publicly rants against intrusions of communist ideology in the country’s education system.

The ROTC bill is pending passage in Congress and is among the new set of priority bills approved by the Legislative-Executive Advisory Council (LEDAC) that PBBM convened last week at Malacanang.

“This (ROTC bill) is to instill love for country, especially by our youth as future leaders of the Philippines,” Salceda enthused.

So by complementarity, the DOT keeps “Love the Philippines,” or “ Mahalin ang Pilipinas ” as the new country brand hallmark. (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.

DENR ‘diversifying’ water sources as El Niño looms

by Frances Mangosing Inquirer.net

MAVULIS ISLAND, Batanes —The Philippines’ front line in the north is a remote island made up of rocky cliffs that jut out of choppy waters adjacent to the Bashi Channel, the waterway that separates the country from Taiwan.

A handful of sailors and Marines deployed on Mavulis call this tiny parcel of land a “lonely island,” on which they stand guard as the Philippines’ first responders should it get dragged into a conflict between China and the United States over Taiwan, a selfruled island claimed by Beijing.

But for now, the Filipinos’ main enemy here — besides the rough terrain and harsh conditions — is the isolation.

For Petty Officer First Class Jesse Belostrino, one of the troops assigned to Mavulis, living in spartan conditions and under a constant threat of danger was part and parcel of what they had signed up for as soldiers.

“When we entered the service, we set aside our fears. We’re grateful for the trust to be sent here and do something for the country,” he told the Inquirer.

Belostrino admitted struggling with loneliness at times. But “as a soldier, it’s normal to be far from one’s family. As a professional soldier, we only need to perform our duty, and we’re happy for the opportunity to be here,” he said.

Troops here rotate every month, but each shift could go on longer as a result of unpredictable weather. Food and drinking water also pose a problem when resupply missions fall behind schedule. Ships, after all, can’t come close to the rocky shores and the seas become treacherous during monsoon season. The intermittent internet connection also makes communications to the headquarters and to their loved ones a challenge.

But Belostrino said this was already being addressed by the military leadership. Act of sovereignty

It was only in 2019 when the Philippines

started occupying the country’s northernmost island—located some 140 kilometers from Taiwan’s southern tip — as an act of sovereignty. A Marine base and a fisherman’s shelter have been built to maintain the country’s presence here.

Belostrino said part of the troops’ job was to monitor commercial and military vessels passing through and report their movements back to headquarters. So far, they have not felt the tensions despite China’s increasing military activities around Taiwan.

Mavulis overlooks the Bashi Channel, a strategic waterway that is part of the Luzon Strait and home to several undersea cables.

“It is a gateway between the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean. In a conflict scenario, both the U.S. and China need to establish sea control of the channel,” former Philippine Navy Vice Commander Rommel Ong told the Inquirer. Such a choke point is crucial in case of war, he added. Analysts say Taiwan is a potential flashpoint in U.S.-China relations, with Washington as the island’s most important backer.

But concerns are mounting that Beijing may soon invade Taipei and that Manila would get caught in the crossfire or get involved as a party of a U.S.-led alliance.

Defending Batanes

In April, Filipino troops trained with their American counterparts in defending the Batanes archipelago (where Mavulis belongs) from potential aggressors.

Its proximity to Taiwan and prevailing regional tensions make Mavulis top of mind for the Philippine military leadership.

On June 26, the Inquirer joined a visit by the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Northern Luzon Command (AFP Nolcom) to check on the conditions of the deployed troops.

“The AFP prioritizes them and sees to it that they have everything. [We will provide them] everything in order for them to stay here and give their best,” said Nolcom deputy commander Commodore Karl Decapia.

“We are here to secure this part of the nation from all kinds of threats from the outside,” he added. “We have prepared a contingency plan for this. The AFP is ready.” n

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 Amsterdam-bound Filipina has been reportedly urged to come

up with false departure claims.

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 of Filipino travelers amid complaints about

u PAGE 8

by the furor over the discredited “Love 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 so-called “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), 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

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

BI says thorough...

USAID donates P7-M for PH human rights promotion

by Michael Punongbayan Philstar.com

MANILA — The United States government recently donated nearly P7 million to help promote human rights in the country through the Philippines-United Nations Joint Program for Human Rights.

U.S. Ambassador MaryKay

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9012368

Something Jewelry located at 2790 Sparta Road #14, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

Registrant: Jennifer Chao, 2790 Sparta Road #14, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2023.

Signature: Jennifer Chao. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/07/2023.

AJ 1208 06/23, 06/30, 07/07, and 07/14/2023. AJSD 1208

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013714

a. Reynoso Law located at 1901 First Avenue, 2nd Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

b. The Reynoso Law Firm located at 1901 First Avenue 2nd Floor, San Diego, CA 92101.

Registrant: Michelle Luna Reynoso, 4354 38th Street, Unit A, San Diego, CA 92105.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/01/2018.

Signature: Michelle Luna Reynoso. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/28/2023. AJ 1212 06/30, 07/07, 07/14, and 07/21/2023. AJSD 1212

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013002

Oro Travel Agency located at 1240 Calle Ultimo, Oceanside, CA 92056.

Registrant: Rodolfo Apostol Gonzales, 1240 Calle Ultimo, Oceanside, CA 92056.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/16/2023.

Signature: Rodolfo Apostol Gonzales. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/16/2023. AJ 1209 06/23, 06/30, 07/07, and 07/14/2023. AJSD 1209

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013758

The Good Look Photo Booth located at 1094 Camino Levante, Chula VIsta, CA 91913.

Registrant: Ramir Morales, 1094 Camino Levante, Chula VIsta, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/29/2023.

Carlson announced on July 6 that the contribution was made through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The funds were given to support the Philippine government in strengthening accountability mechanisms and promoting human rights in the country. U.S. President Joe Biden

expressed support for advancing human rights in the Philippines during his recent meeting with President Marcos in Washington. Promoting respect for human rights and the rule of law, as well as ensuring the safety of civil society leaders and marginalized communities, are among the key priorities in the US-Philippines relationship.

“Human rights are a critical pillar in development, and we believe it is not possible for any country to rise to its full potential without them,” Carlson said.

“We are proud to join the international community in supporting the Philippines to protect human rights and uphold every person’s individual dignity,” she added. n

US firms eye ties with PH in health, digital, energy sectors

MANILA – The Business Executives for National Security (BENS) reaffirmed on Monday, July 10 its commitment to boost the cooperation and investment of the United States in terms of health, digital infrastructure and energy programs in the Philippines as part of the efforts to enhance Philippine-U.S. economic engagement.

In a meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at the Malacañan Palace in Manila, members of the BENS asked the Chief Executive about his thoughts on business opportunities in the healthcare system in the Philippines, especially on the nursing industry and on the digital infrastructure and energy.

“So one of the main things that we are doing – in fact, we are groundbreaking a big multi-specialty hospital just outside Manila soon and we are going to open more of them as annexes hospitals,” Marcos told members of the BENS as he emphasized that the Philippine government aims to build more hospitals in far-flung areas.

“I’ve always been a great believer of bringing healthcare 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 healthcare has become an important part of this administration efforts,” he added.

The president emphasized that the Philippines became “a victim of our own success” especially during the pandemic where a lot of world leaders have asked for the country’s help to deploy more Filipino nurses and medical practitioners abroad.

But he said the Department of Health (DOH) has plans on how to resolve the problem.

“Unfortunately, in terms of healthcare 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,” President Marcos said.

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

“We are trying to accelerate the board

examinations of nurses so we can actually put out more. So that’s the adjustment that we are trying to make. So 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.”

Marcos told the BENS that the price, reliability and supply of energy is one of the problems being brought up by some of the foreign investors in the Philippines, including the problem on the ease of doing business.

The president, however, emphasized that it is something that the government is working on.

“The ease of doing business is something that we can do immediately about 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,” Marcos 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.

Digital infrastructure

In terms of the digital infrastructure, Marcos said the government has amended some laws to make investment more attractive in the Philippines especially on the digitalization of the country’s economy not only in the government but also in the private sector.

Marcos also talked about the government’s efforts to give importance to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“We are trying to bring them into the system of digital marketing. So we put up an app for small business to be able to use,” Marcos said, referring to the “PalengQR Ph Plus Initiative” that aims to prop up economic activities in the Philippines.

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

The president took pride on the country’s

booming business process outsourcing (BPO) industry as it continued its operations even during the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic through the work-from-home scheme.

“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, many reasons: for the digitalization, for the climate change, for the cybersecurity,” he added.

Members of the BENS expressed their gratitude to the president as they recognized his excellent leadership in restoring the special and important alliance between the governments of the Philippines and the U.S.

Members of the BENS who met with President Marcos were GardaWorld Federal Services president Pete Dordal; WinFertility president/chief executive officer (CEO) Roger Shedlin; Cavalry Asset Management managing partner/chief investment officer John Hurley; Arnold & Porter LLP senior partner Ramon Marks; and Pescador Resources president David McDonald. SPG International president/CEO Steve Darnell; Crisis Response Company LLC president/CEO Robert Akin; Shield Capital co-founder/managing partner Raj Shah; BENS president/CEO Gen. Joseph Votel (ret.); and BENS vice president of programs Patrick Sweeney were also present during the meeting.

U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, Political Counselor Brett Blackshaw, Defense Attache Col. Edward Evans, First Secretary David Sequeira, and Plans & Policy chief of the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group Jonathan Wachtel likewise joined the meeting.

The BENS, a 10-member business group in the U.S. founded in 1982, is currently in the Philippines until Thursday to engage with Philippine leaders at the nexus of business and national security and discuss potential areas for investment and cooperation in the country. (PNA) n

EMPLOYMENT LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013256 Stay Learning CenterTutoring Services located at 2355 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Registrant: Stay Learning Center-Tutoring Services, 2355 Otay Lakes Road, Chula Vista, CA 91914. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/14/2017.

Signature: Lorene Macias. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/22/2023. AJ 1210 06/30, 07/07, 07/14, and 07/21/2023. AJSD 1210

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013695

Papis Birria located at 2924 Ridgeway Dr., National City, 91950.

Registrant: Papis Birria LLC, 2924 Ridgeway Dr., National City, 91950. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/28/2023.

Signature: Ivan Cruz. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/28/2023.

1214 07/14, 07/21, 07/28, and 08/04/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013363

Wises Barber Shop located at 8886 La Mesa Blvd, La Mesa, CA 91942. Registrant: Nathaniel Wise, 4965 Pine St, La Mesa, CA 91942. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Nathaniel Wise. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/23/2023. AJ 1211 06/30, 07/07, 07/14, and 07/21/2023. AJSD 1211

DIEGO

Celebrating the life and legac y of Chef K ing Phojanakong

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

ANNABEL 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.

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.

restaurant

“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 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

u PAGE 10

Chef King Phojanakong in front of his restaurant in the Lower East Side called Kuma Inn. He also opened a sister

in Brooklyn and he called it Umi Nom. Photos courtesy of Chef King Phojanakong Foundation

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.

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

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.

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, Global-Estate Resorts, Inc., Suntrust Properties Inc., Emperador Inc., Megaworld Hotels and Resorts, Megaworld Club Access, Pick-A-Roo, 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-work-play-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

Celebrating the life and...

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 chililime 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 sixmonth-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

San Diego launches employee benefit program to assist with childcare costs

Pilot program funded through federal grant

SAN DIEGO – As part of an ongoing effort to support the City of San Diego’s workforce, the city is launching a pilot program to support employees with the cost of child care for children ages 0-12. The Municipal Child Care Benefit Pilot Program is funded through a federal grant.

“We know the high cost of quality childcare can create a financial burden for families,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “By supporting our employees with this childcare benefit, they can confidently come to work every day and continue providing the services San Diegans depend on. This pilot program will help us better understand the childcare needs across our 12,000-person workforce and help the city attract and retain skilled employees for the future.”

Earlier this month, Mayor Todd Gloria also signed a dramatic expansion of paid parental leave for city workers, along with a plan making it easier for employees to access pregnancy disability benefits.

Participation in the Municipal Child Care Benefit Pilot program will be available to eligible employees with monthly payment amounts based on need. To be eligible to apply, city employees must have an individual base gross income less than $95,350 per year, work full-time or work at least 20 hours per week while also enrolled in a training or higher education program.

San Diego City Mayor Todd Gloria File photo/www.sandiego.gov

Benefit payments may range between $100-$1,000, per dependent, based on family need factors. Those factors include but are not limited to permanent housing status, military or veteran status, whether the family is fostering a child, or if the child has an individual education plan (IEP) or disability. These need factors, along with other components, will contribute to the amount a family may be eligible to receive.

Once applications are reviewed and approved, benefit payments will be dispersed to childcare providers monthly, starting in September. Funding for the employee benefit program comes through a $2 million federal community

project award secured by Rep.

Sara Jacobs, who represents the 51st congressional district.

“The cost of childcare shouldn’t prevent parents from going back to work and advancing their careers – but that’s the case for so many San Diegans, including many of the amazing employees who keep our city running,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs. “That’s why I’m so proud to have secured $2 million in federal funding to create a pilot program that covers the childcare costs for the City of San Diego’s workforce, so they have the support they need to keep serving our communities. I’m excited to see this program up and running and all the good it creates for the next generation of San Diegans, parents, and our local economy.”

The city’s Office of Child and Youth Success will oversee implementation of the pilot program and will support employees in the application process. The city has contracted with Tootris, a cloud-based software provider that specializes in helping parents and providers connect and transact in realtime, empowering working parents to secure quality childcare services.

Eligibility and need factors for the Municipal Child Care Benefit Pilot program were developed in consideration with other subsidized childcare programs implemented in California.

(City of San Diego Release) n

City of San Diego, SANDAG launch new shuttle service in Pacific Beach

Residents and visitors can enjoy free rides this summer on the Beach Bug as a new, sustainable way to get around Pacific Beach

SAN DIEGO – On Wednesday, July 12, the City of San Diego and the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) officially launched a pilot program for The Beach Bug, a new neighborhood electric vehicle (NEV) that provides a quick and easy way to get around Pacific Beach. By providing access to popular locations in Pacific Beach, the new Beach Bug shuttle will reduce demand for parking near coastal attractions, make it more convenient

to take public transit to the beach and support the city’s Climate Action Plan goals. Operated by Circuit, the service will be free for the first three months.

“This new shuttle service will better serve both residents and visitors in Pacific Beach,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “By making a connection to a nearby trolley stop, the Beach Bug will give people the option to use public transit to access

Sarah Geronimo to perform 2 shows at Pechanga Summit in September

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-yearold 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 awe-inspiring 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

SARAH Geronimo is a very famous Filipina singer and actress, with numerous albums, TV shows and movies accredited to her name. She has been in the entertainment industry since she was four years old, having a very prosperous and long career. She has held 2 concerts at Pechanga before, and will be coming back to Pechanga this year.

Sarah Geronimo will be performing 2 live concerts at Pechanga Summit in September on Friday, September 8 at 9 p.m., and Sunday, September 10, at 6 p.m.

Geronimo rose to fame after winning the television singing contest Star for a Night, where she procured a recording contract with Viva Records at just 14 years old. During her career, Sarah has won 15 Awit Awards, 28 Myx Music Awards, 8 Aliw Awards, 4 FAMAS Awards, the FAMAS Golden Artist Award and a World Music Award. She has also been named one of the most powerful influencers by Forbes Asia. In 2013, she was inducted into the Anak TV Hall of Fame.

Geronimo is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Music of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, as well as a recipient of their “Harvest of Honors” state recognition for multi-disciplinary arts.

In 2004, she starred in Sarah the Teen Princess, her first television show, as well as hosting regularly and performing on the variety show ASAP. She has appeared in 18 films, 25 television shows, and has released 13 albums throughout her career.

Geronimo has made a name for herself from her beautiful, soulful voice to her many appearances on film and TV. In 2014, YES! Magazine ranked her as the “Most Beautiful Star,” taking the number 1 spot out of 100 celebrities. Since 2014, she has been the most streamed solo Filipino artist in Spotify Philippines, where millions of people can stream her music.

Pechanga Summit features

a 40,000-square foot area for entertainers, concerts, live sporting events, trade shows, weddings, or any large groups to book. In total, Pechanga now offers 274,500 square feet of indoor/outdoor contemporary meeting and event space, which significantly enhanced the amenities, space and visibility of Pechanga’s event offerings.

To get tickets to Sarah Geronimo’s concerts at the Pechanga Summit, call the Pechanga Box Office at (888) 810-8871, or go to www. pechanga.com.

Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States. Voted the number one casino in the country by USA Today and rated a Four

Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features a destination that meets and exceeds the needs of its guests and the community. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians. For more information, call toll free (877) 711-2946 or visit www. Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter @ PechangaCasino.

(Advertising Supplement)

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).

The Beach Bug will provide a new, fun and sustainable way to travel to your favorite beachside destinations in Pacific Beach. File photo/www.sandiego.gov

City of San Diego...

PAGE 10

the beach and nearby restaurants, shops and other destinations in P.B. The size and speed of these electric shuttles make them an ideal transit option for short trips in dense neighborhoods where parking is a challenge.”

NEVs are all-electric, low-speed shuttles that travel up to 25 miles per hour. With a fleet of four vehicles in rotation, riders can request service on The Beach Bug using the Circuit app, which can be downloaded on the App Store or Google Play, or by calling 858-258-9680. A wheelchair-accessible ride is available upon request.

“Every San Diegan should have access to our beaches, regardless of if they own a vehicle. The Beach Bug provides that access,” said SANDAG vice chair and City Council president Sean Elo-Rivera. “I look forward to seeing more of these mobility solutions throughout our city that can expand opportunity, reduce traffic and provide environmental benefits.”

In developing plans for The Beach Bug, the City of San Diego and SANDAG conducted extensive community engagement to seek feedback about how people get around the neighborhood, as well as what transportation challenges people face and what destinations they like to visit in Pacific Beach when visiting the beach community.

Locals were even asked to help choose a name for the shuttle. When the votes were tallied, “The Beach Bug” was the winner. Discover PB, the local business improvement district, reached out to the community to solicit logo ideas. The winning concept seen on the top of the shuttle is a circular design featuring bright orange, purple and blue shades with a wave icon in the middle.

“The Beach Bug will provide easier access to everything that Pacific Beach has to offer including a direct connection to the Balboa Avenue Trolley Station,” said Councilmember and Environment Committee chair Joe LaCava. “This is the low impact ‘last mile’ solution that helps residents and visitors get around, reduces congestion, curtails parking impacts and helps our Pacific Beach businesses thrive.”

Summer hours for The Beach Bug are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays; and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays. After three months of free service, the cost will be $2.50 for all-day use, free for youth 18 and younger, and free to those coming to and from the Balboa Avenue Transit Station.

In addition to funds provided by SANDAG and the City, the shuttle will be funded through revenue collected from on-street parking meters coming this summer and located throughout the business areas in Pacific Beach. Throughout the two-year pilot, other funding options – such as advertising revenue and smallfare collection – will be explored to determine the long-term sustainability of the service after the pilot concludes.

More information about The Beach Bug can be found at sandiego.gov/pbshuttle.

(City of San Diego Release) n

Stunning $75K Miss Filipina International 2023 crown revealed

A STUNNING $75,000 crown for Miss Filipina International (MFI) 2023, custom-designed by royalty and red carpet designer Narcisa Pheres, was recently revealed by Geoffrey Jimenez, chairman of the board of directors, Worldwide Media Entertainment Corp., the new owner of MFI.

Jimenez, in an interview with Entertainment News Portal, unveiled the beautiful crown, made of Swiss blue topaz, Japanese pearls and other gems. He announced that on August 5, at the black-tie MFI coronation night at the prestigious International Ballroom of The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, one lucky woman will be wearing the crown especially made by Narcisa Pheres.

“The crown has 38 pieces of Swiss blue topaz, 175.73 carats, 15 Japanese pearls, a total of 43.7 carats and 1,555 pieces of cubic zirconia and 124.773 carats total set in 234.72 grams of silver,” Pheres said. “The crown’s value is around $75,000 and it is entirely made by hand. It took about three months of work just to handset it.”

The Romania-born and raised Pheres, who was appointed in 2018 by Her Royal Highness, Princess Olga Romanoff, as the official jewelry supplier, described her inspiration in making the crown. She said, “I live in Hong Kong and so I travel to the Philippines a lot. When I go to the Philippines, I pay a lot of attention to the nature around me. So, to complement the country, there are elements of sea pearls, the beautiful blue ocean and ideas of pineapple as well. If you pay attention more, you will see many of these elements that will bring you back to the Philippines.”

Pheres, who studied fashion design at the Instituto de Moda Burgo in Milan, fashion marketing studies at Central St Martins, London and got her GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Jewelry Design and Diamond Certification in Carlsbad, California, explained that it took her about three months just to handset the crown “but the entire thing took me about four to five months to finish.”

The most challenging, she added, was coming up with

the design. “I wanted a royal influence but for the modern queen.”

Owner of the Pheres brand and creative director of Narcisa Pheres Fine Jewelry which she started in 2006 in Japan, she expanded her line of one-of-akind jewelry pieces and launched her line of evening gowns and menswear as well.

Based in Hong Kong, Pheres has been recognized for her accomplishments as a designer. Her jewelry has been worn by A-listers on most of the red carpet of awards shows like the Golden Globes, Oscars, Grammys, Screen Actors Guild Award and Met Gala. Her clients include the former First Lady Michelle Obama, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce, Rihanna, Madonna and Taylor Swift.

“This is the first time that I have designed a crown for a beauty pageant,” Pheres said. “Most of the time, I do royal crowns and

tiaras as well. I specialize in royal jewelry and have done four or five crowns.”

“I wanted this crown to really have a very vivid blue so that when the new MFI queen is onstage and away from the crowd, you can still see the colors clearly and that is why I chose blue topaz.”

The 41 MFI candidates represent various states across America and several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. They will vie for these titles: Miss Filipina International; Miss Tourism; First Runner-up; Second Runner-up; and Third Runner-up. Jimenez also announced that in partnership with Jonas Gaffud’s Empire Philippines, three winners will be eligible to compete next year in Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) while two winners will vie in The Miss Philippines pageant.

The following are the MFI official candidates, listed by their numbers (randomly drawn by the contestants in a raffle) in the

Marte

27. Samantha Gavin

28. Sarah Lizaso Obal

29. Beatriz Mclelland

30. Jessica Zemanek

31. Bryanna Vasquez

32. Aliza Orjalo

33. Ronniedith Dimapasoc

34. Skylar Vasquez

35. Dakota Swart

36. Kelly McIlroy

37. Kawena Janessa Kanhai

38. Sabrina Pajarillo

39. Mary Ann Monda

40. Issha Rose Mata

41. Tia Mailani Bustamante

In addition to the previously announced top prize of a BMW

3 Series car, the winner will also receive a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills. Other prizes include $5,000 cash and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin for Miss Tourism; a $2,500 cash prize and a $5,000 gift certificate from iSkin for each of the First, Second and Third Runners-up. MFI’s sponsors include Philippine Airlines, BMW, Jojo Bragais Shoes, Narcisa Pheres, iSkin Beverly Hills, Biaggi Luggage, Bell Beachwear, The Beverly Hilton, See’s Candies Manila, FlexPro Meals and Celsius Beverages. For sponsorship inquiries, email: missfilipinainternational@gmail. com.

(Advertising Supplement)

WMEC board chair Geoffrey Jimenez

Photo by Ken Hugh

Narcisa Pheres is owner of the Pheres brand and creative director of Narcisa Pheres Fine Jewelry. Photo courtesy of MFI

The MFI 2023 crown, valued around $75,000, designed by Narcisa Pheres. Photo courtesy of MFI