071522 - Northern California Edition

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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Volume 21 - No. 28 • 14 Pages

T HE F ILIPINO A MERICAN C OMMUNITY N EWSPAPER

Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com

JULY 15-21, 2022

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

US backs PH on West Philippine Sea, warns Suspect pleads not guilty that it will support Manila on armed attacks after alleged hate attack DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

against Fil-Am family

THE suspect accused of physically assaulting and throwing racist slurs toward a Filipino American family has pleaded not guilty on Monday, July 11 to two battery charges.

Nicholas Weber, a 31-year-old Sylmar, California resident, is charged with one felony count of battery with serious bodily injury and a misdemeanor count of battery. The charges carry hate crime allegations.

This comes after a May 13 incident wherein Patricia Roque, 19, and her mom Nerissa, 47, were getting late-night snacks at the McDonald’s drive-thru on Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood when a dark blue jeep, driven by Weber, hit their car from behind.

The younger Roque got out of the car and started taking cellphone videos of the damagers. That’s when the suspect went to the side of their car and started throwing racial slurs with a mock Asian accent. The suspect threatened them by saying, “I’ll kill you,”

by KAYCEE

VALMONTE Philstar.com

MANILA — On the 6th anniversary of the 2016 Hague ruling, the United States reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines and warns that it will back Manila should there be armed attacks.

“We also reaffirm that an armed attack on

Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke the U.S. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a press statement dated July 11.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration, a United Nations-backed tribunal, ruled in 2016 that

by TETCH

TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net

Note may show location of missing Fil-Am woman’s body, but search fails

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How the PH Court of Appeals ruled on Maria Ressa’s cyber libel case

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POLICE in Oakley, California on July 7 gave the parents of missing 27-year-old Filipino American woman, Alexis Gabe, copies of notes handwritten by her ex-boyfriend that could indicate the location of her body, according to ABC7 News.

Gabe’s ex-boyfriend, Marshall Curtis Jones, wrote directions on where to dispose of her body in Pioneer, California, an area 60 miles east of Sacramento.

Investigators and hundreds of volunteers reportedly searched acres of land in Pioneer for any sign of Alexis’s body, including draining more than eight million gallons of water in a nearby pond. They didn’t find anything.

Gabe’s parents, however, say they believe she’s still alive and hidden somewhere.

Jones was killed last month when police tried to arrest him near Seattle, Washington.

He allegedly charged at officers with a knife.

After Jones’ death, a friend of his gave police a note from two weeks before Gabe disappeared. The note says Jones told the

China’s claims over the South China Sea is invalid as the claims already exceeds Beijing’s maritime entitlements.

It also ruled that some of the areas are already within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines.

Six years since the ruling, the Philippines

‘BACLARAN DAY’. Churchgoers, some taking a bike ride going to Baclaran Church, leave the premises after the morning Mass on Wednesday, July 13. Wednesdays are popularly called Baclaran Day when devotees go to the church and pray the novena to Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

MANILA — The Court of Appeals (CA) has resolved that 15 years after a story is posted online, a cyberlibel lawsuit can still be filed in court.

In a decision affirming the cyberlibel conviction of Nobel Laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr., the CA said that a one-year prescription for libel cannot apply to cyberlibel cases.

The CA explained that the penalty imposed for cyberlibel – imprisonment for up to eight years – is classified as afflictive which under Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), the prescription should be 15 years.

Libel, under Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code, is punishable only by imprisonment of six months up to four years and two months and belongs to a different classification of penalties.

Santos wrote the article in May 2012 claiming that

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‘Not our bill’: Palace says premature to comment on bid to rename NAIA

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — Malacañang was mum on the bill seeking to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after President Marcos’ father, the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, saying the measure is still in its early stages.

“Malacañang has no comment yet on this one. It’s just been filed, after all. It has not been subjected to first reading so any reaction would be premature, if any is even warranted at this time,” Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said at a press briefing

last Wednesday, July 6.

“This is not a bill filed by Malacañang so it’s not our place to indicate whether it is timely or not. It was the congressman who filed it so no comment for right now, particularly, you know, its (in its) very early stages really, it’s just been filed,” she added.

Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo Teves, Jr. filed House Bill No. 610 renaming NAIA to Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport less than a week into Marcos Jr.’s presidency.

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Manny Pacquiao with trainer Freddie Roach Photo courtesy of Manny Pacquiao Promotions

Hontiveros, Padilla unlikely allies in reviving discussion on divorce Freddie Roach thinks Manny Pacquiao should stay retired

by XAVE

GREGORIO Philstar.com

Senators Robin Padilla and Risa Hontiveros

MANILA — Sens.

Risa Hontiveros and Robin Padilla are finding themselves on the same side of the fence as they have both identified the legalization of divorce in the Philippines among their priority measures for the 19th Congress.

Hontiveros and Padilla filed different versions of the measure that is deemed rather controversial in the Philippines, where majority identify as Catholic and which is the only state aside from the Vatican that has not yet legalized divorce for the entire population. Divorce Philstar.com file photos is only legal in the Philippines for

Muslim couples who were married under Muslim rites.

Hontiveros has been identified by former Vice President Leni Robredo as the new leader of the opposition as she is now the highest-ranking elected official from their ranks, while Padilla has been a vocal supporter of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

But Hontiveros said she is willing to work with any senator on common issues they are pushing for.

“We are ready to cooperate with any senator with the same advocacies for women and the Filipino family,” Hontiveros said Monday in Filipino in a reply to

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by MARK

GIONGCO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Freddie Roach doesn’t see any point for Manny Pacquiao to make a comeback.

Pacquiao retired last August after a stunning loss to Yordenis Ugas of Cuba.

Although Pacquiao hasn’t been in the ring since announcing his retirement, the Filipino boxing icon is slated for an exhibition fight against Korean martial artist and YouTuber DK Yoo.

“I think he’s finished [with boxing],” Roach said in an interview with BoxingScene.com on Sunday, July 10.

“I don’t think he has anything more to prove. He’s done everything he can, I feel.

He doesn’t owe anything to anybody.”

But in the event that Pacquiao has a change of heart, Roach still wants to be in his corner just like old times.

“If he does wanna come back

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JULY 15-21, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

US backs PH on West Philippine...

PAGE 1 has filed over 200 diplomatic protests as China refuses to recognize the ruling.

This was also backed by a recent U.S. study on coastal state maritime claims, as noted

by Blinken, that China’s claims over the disputed waters remain “plainly inconsistent with international law.”

“We call again on the PRC to abide by its obligations under

international law and cease its provocative behavior.

We will continue to work with allies and partners, as well as regional institutions like ASEAN, to protect and preserve the rules-based order,” Blinken said.

PH commemorates historic ruling In a separate statement, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo asserted that

“these findings are no longer within the reach of denial and rebuttal, and are conclusive as they are indisputable.”

“We firmly reject attempts to undermine it; nay, even erase it from law, history and our collective memories.”

Manalo also said that the Philippines welcomes the support of more countries backing Manila in asserting its rights over the waters. ■

How the PH Court of Appeals ruled on...

PAGE 1

businessman Wilfredo Keng lent his sports utility vehicle to then Chief Justice Renato Corona.

The story also cited an intelligence report that said Keng had been under surveillance by the National Security Council for alleged involvement in human trafficking and drug smuggling.

The article was re-posted in February 2014.

Ressa’s camp argued that they could not be prosecuted for cyberlibel because the law, at that time, was subject to a restraining order by the Supreme Court.

However, the CA said the Cybercrime Law was signed into law in September 2012 and became effective on October 9 that year. Although there was a restraining order, the CA said only the implementation was enjoined but the effectivity remains in place.

“The TRO issued by the Supreme Court only enjoined the implementation of the Cybercrime Law, but not its effectivity. As the law remained effective, the lifting of the TRO consequently meant that the acts committed during the effectivity of restraining order was in effect can be subsequently charged and prosecuted,” it said.

Elements of libel Is the article subject of the cyber libel case defamatory?

“Without a doubt, upon reading the subject article, one would understand in its plain and ordinary meaning that the author thereof painted Keng as someone involved in several illegal activities…thereby besmirching his reputation and casting him dishonor, discredit

Nobel Laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa Inquirer.net file photo

and public ridicule,” the CA said.

When it comes to malice, the CA said the Cybercrime Law imposes a stricter standard to convict someone if the offended party is a public figure. But if the offended party is a private person, “the prosecution need not prove the presence of malice as the law explicitly presumes its existence.”

In this case, since Keng is a private person, “the law is clear that malice is presumed from the defamatory and libelous character of the statements rendered in the subject article.”

The CA also noted an unpublished story written by another Rappler reporter about Keng’s side. It wasn’t published because other news was more urgent.

The appeals court deemed such a reason as “flimsy.”

Regarding publication, the

original article was posted in May 2012. The February 2014 update to the previous article corrected the spelling of the word “evasion.”

But the appeals court said, “a single defamatory statement if published several times, gives rise to as many offenses as there are publications.”

A novel implementation of Cybercrime Law The CA said public officers and private individuals who are wronged in the inordinate exercise of freedom of speech and the press “have every right to avail themselves of the legal remedies for libel.”

It said the case against Ressa involves a novel implementation of the Cybercrime Law which seeks to curb, if not totally prevent, “the reckless and unlawful use of the computer systems to commit traditional criminal offenses.”

But the CA clarified that the strict implementation and imposition of penalties of cyberlibel do not aim at curtailing freedom of expression but serve “as a major deterrent to the damaging and defaming of a person’s reputation that could be easily and successfully carried out at one’s fingertips.”

The decision affirming the cyberlibel conviction of Ressa and Santos was penned by Associate Justice Roberto Quiroz and concurred by Associate Justices Ramon Bato Jr. and Germano Francisco Legaspi.

The case is not yet final.

However, Ressa’s counsel said they would exhaust all legal remedies, including elevating the case to the Supreme Court. ■

COVID-19 boosters are now available for

children ages 5+

Boosters can help protect the whole family against serious illness and hospitalization.

Visit MyTurn.ca.gov to find a vaccine near you.

OIL PRICE CUT. Motorcycle and trike drivers queue to fill up their fuel tanks at a gasoline station along Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City, Rizal on Tuesday, July 12. Oil companies have imposed a bigtime rollback in prices of gasoline P5.70, diesel P6.10, and kerosene P6.30.

PNA photo by Joey Razon

Suspect pleads not guilty after alleged hate...

PAGE 1

Patricia recounted.

While waiting for the police to respond to their 911 call, Patricia called her dad, Gabriel, who arrived in time to stop Weber who was trying to enter the car to get to Patricia.

In the process of stopping the suspect from hurting his daughter who was seated in the passenger’s seat of the car, the 62-year-old father was pushed down to the pavement by the suspect. Gabriel suffered injuries, including a broken rib and bruises on his arms.

“My family and I were victims of anti-Asian hate. What initially started off as a minor traffic collision quickly escalated to verbal and physical assaults. We were taunted, ridiculed, and belittled because of our appearance as

Asian Americans. Specifically, the suspect called us ‘ching chong’ and made squinting eye motions as he verbally threatened us,” Patricia Roque told the Asian Journal in a previous interview.

After attacking her father, Weber reportedly turned to her mother and strangled her.

“My mom tried to intervene to stop the attack on my dad. At that point, the suspect turned his anger and hate towards my mom and started strangling her with his bare hands. We all screamed for help. We all pleaded for the suspect to stop,” Patricia said.

She said a bystander helped stop Weber from further attacking her family.

When the police finally arrived, Weber was taken by an ambulance to the hospital and later on, was released with a citation to appear

in court last June 8 but he never did.

The court issued a bench warrant for Weber after he failed to appear for arraignment on June 8. He was arrested for an unrelated matter in Orange County and held on the warrant.

The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department, North Hollywood Division.

Weber is due back in court Aug. 19, when a date for a hearing will be scheduled to determine if the case will go to trial.

Filipino American community members are continuing to call on the District Attorney’s Office to fully prosecute the case.

The Filipino Migrant Center has created a fundraiser on its website for the Roque family’s physical and emotional recovery. (AJPress)

Freddie Roach thinks Manny Pacquiao should...

PAGE 1

and fight again, I hope he picks me as his trainer,” said Roach, who had Pacquiao under his watch for over two decades.

Pacquiao is as accomplished as they come as boxing’s only eightdivision champion who fought the best of the best.

“Right now, he’s traveling,” Roach said. “He likes going to different cities. He brings his family and his wife with him.

He likes to travel. He’s doing

something he enjoys. His wife doesn’t want him to fight anymore, from what I hear. If he calls me and asks me, I’ll tell him, ‘You don’t need to prove nothing to anybody in the world,’” Roach said.

“If he’s willing to come back, I’d like to help him and wish him the best of luck. But his wife and everyone doesn’t want him to come back. There’s a lot more people that feel he doesn’t need to come back. What does he have to

prove? He’s already been there.”

Whether or not Pacquiao decides to return, Roach will continue to have one Pacquiao training in his famed Wild Card Gym. “His son is fighting out of my gym now. So, it’s nice to have him there. I mean, he’s not Manny Pacquiao, but he’s trying,” said Roach, referring to Jimuel Pacquiao who has had several amateur fights in the United States. ■

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 15-21, 2022

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Note may show location of missing Fil-Am...

PAGE 1 friend he was “thinking about killing Alexis and wanted to know where the best place to hide a body would be.”

Investigators said that Marshall and the friend decided “the best place to dispose of a body would be by placing it in a septic tank or burying the body

in a forest area.”

For any information that could help investigators, call the Alexis Gabe tip line at 925-625-7009.

(Inquirer.net)

Hontiveros, Padilla unlikely allies in reviving...

The PAFIOO awardees with CFO Secretary Francisco P. Acosta and Undersecretary Abdulgani Matua Macatoman.

Screen capture from www.cfo.gov.ph

Honoring the best of the Filipino diaspora amidst the global pandemic

THE prestigious Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) were presented recently to 56 recipients in simple ceremonies at the Manila Marriott Hotel.

Presented by the Office of the President of the Philippines through the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), PAFIOO is the highest honor given by the Philippine government for the exemplary deeds and philanthropic initiatives of foreignbased individuals and associations that contribute to nation-building and Philippine development, promote the welfare and wellbeing of Filipinos abroad and bring honor to the country because of their achievements and excellence in their fields or professions.

PAFIOO was instituted in 1991

by Executive Order No. 498 issued by the late President Corazon C. Aquino.

CFO Secretary Francisco P. Acosta presented the awards on behalf of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. He was assisted

by CFO Executive Director and Undersecretary Abdulgani M. Macatoman.

In his keynote speech, Secretary Acosta praised the new additions to the roster of elite members of the Filipino diaspora by saying, “Let this day be a mark of your victories that are, of course, products of sacrifices and efforts, as you labored for decades in constant pursuit of enhancing and developing your skills – and eventually generously giving back to your fellow Filipinos here and abroad without expecting anything in return.”

Highlighting the contributions of the Diaspora, Undersecretary Macatoman praised the awardees for their steadfast contributions to the development of the country as well as Filipino communities overseas. He also expressed gratitude to the foreign awardees for their continuing service to overseas Filipinos and for ensuring their welfare.

PAFIOO recipients represented a wide range of professions and fields of interest. They included philanthropists, scientists, engineers, medical and healthcare professionals, athletes, artists, and public servants. They were cited for selfless deeds, pro bono services, and exemplary acts of kindness and generosity. For most, their selfless devotion to duty and willingness to go the extra mile for others especially shone through

when the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic was devastating almost every country in the world.

The awardees uplifted the lives of many of their kababayans across the world, brought honor to their people and country, and catalyzed progress and development in Filipino communities overseas and in the motherland.

The PAFIOO recipients and award categories are: Lingkod sa Kapwa Pilipino (LINKAPIL) The term LINKAPIL translates to “service to fellow Filipinos” and celebrates the enduring Bayanihan spirit of Filipinos even if they have settled in other countries. The award is conferred on Filipino individuals or organizations for exceptional or significant contributions to progress and development in the Philippines.

Recipients of the Presidential LINKAPIL Award are Batangas Association United Kingdom (United Kingdom), Roxanne Racquel A. Cajigas (United States of America), Kayumanggi Chorale, Inc. (USA), Vivian KieferVargas (Switzerland), Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers – Qatar Chapter (Qatar) and The Filipino Association in the Isle of Man (Isle of Man).

Banaag “Banaag” means gleam or glimmer, a ray of light that advances the welfare of overseas Filipinos and/or Filipino migrant communities. The award is conferred on Filipino individuals or organizations whose significant contributions have benefited a sector of the diaspora or advanced the cause and interest of overseas Filipino communities.

Recipients of the Presidential Banaag Award are Mario A. Balboa (Saudi Arabia), Bella Aurora P. Belmonte (USA), Ariel C. Bernardo (South Korea), Roy G. Betinol (Chile), Vanda Marie M. Brady (Ireland), Alex Chiu (+) Posthumous Award (Canada), Aurora B. Dacanay (Canada), Nancy S. de Jesus (France), Rose Cheryl P. EclarinalMurdock (UK), Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, Inc. (Canada), Filipino American Service Group, Inc. (USA), Fernandico Q. Gonong, Jr. (USA), Igorot UK Charity (United Kingdom), Kapatiran at Ugnayan ng Natatanging Sining at Talento (Germany), Venecio V. Legaspi (Saudi Arabia), London Filipino Centre CIC (UK), Bennette E. Misalucha (USA), National

PAUNAWA NG HALALAN ANG PAUNAWA AY IBINIBIGAY SA PAMAMAGITAN NITO na ang isang HALALAN ay gaganapin sa Lungsod ng Brisbane sa Martes, ang ika-8 araw ng Nobyembre, 2022 para sa mga sumusunod: Dalawang (2) Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lungsod Termino na 4 na taon bawat isa Ang panahon ng nominasyon para sa mga katungkulang ito ay magsisimula sa ika-18 ng Hulyo, 2022 at magsasara sa ika-12 ng Agosto, 2022 sa 1:00 P.M. Kung ang mga papel ng nominasyon para sa isang nanunungkulang opisyal ng lungsod ay hindi iniharap bago lumampas ang ika-12 ng Agosto, ang mga botante ay dapat magkaroon ng hanggang ika-17 ng Agosto sa 5:00 P.M. upang magmungkahi ng mga kandidato na iba sa (mga) tao na mga nanunungkulan para sa kasalukuyang inihahalal na katungkulan na iyon.

Kung wala o isang tao lamang ang iminungkahi para sa isang inihahalal na katungkulan, ang paghirang sa inihahalal na katungkulan ay maaaring gawin gaya ng nakasaad sa Seksyon 10229 ng Kodigo sa mga Halalan.

Lahat ng kwalipikadong botanteng nakatira sa loob ng Lungsod ng Brisbane, pagsapit ng petsa ng Halalan na nakalagay dito, ay dapat maging kwalipikadong bumoto sa nasabing Halalan at pahintulutang ipatala ang kanilang balota sa 29-na-araw na panahon bago ang Araw ng Halalan at sa Araw ng Halalan sa pamamagitan ng koreo, o sa isang Sentro ng Pagboto sa loob ng County.

Ang Sentro ng Pagboto sa Brisbane City Hall, 50 Park Place, Brisbane, CA 94005 ay mananatiling bukas sa pagitan ng mga oras na 9:00 A.M. hanggang 5:00 P.M. sa ika-5 ng Noyembre, ika-6 ng Nobyembre at ika-7 ng Nobyembre, 2022 at sa pagitan ng mga oras na 7:00 A.M. at 8:00 P.M. sa Araw ng Halalan, ika-8 ng Nobyembre, 2022.

Ingrid Padilla, Klerk ng Lungsod Direkta (415) 508-2113 Fax (415) 467-4989 Pinetsahan: Ika-8 ng Hulyo, 2022

Alliance to Nurture the Aged and the Youth (USA), Rolando M. Nicolas (Saudi Arabia), Linda Nietes-Little (USA), Philippine Bayanihan Association of Alberta (Canada), Philippine-American Friendship Community, Inc. (USA), Dennis N. Rata (Kuwait), Jannelle So-Perkins (USA), Cristy M. Vicentina (Singapore), and Elija Paul G. Villanueva (UK).

Pamana ng Pilipino “Pamana,” which means legacy and heritage, showcases the honor and recognition that Filipinos bring to the homeland through outstanding performance, expertise, skills, and world-class talents. The award is conferred on overseas Filipino individuals who, exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino, have brought honor and recognition to the country through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of u PAGE 4

PAGE 1 media queries. “As in the past six years, I am always able to cross party lines and unite with other senators to push important laws.”

Different, but not irreconcilable Hontiveros said she is hopeful that there is a better chance for the divorce bill to hurdle Congress this time around as the Senate panel on women, children, family relations and gender equality already tackled the proposal in the 18th Congress. The committee report from those hearings can be a basis for new discussions on the measure, she said.

While both Hontiveros’ and Padilla’s bills seek to legalize divorce in the country, the two proposals are markedly different from each other.

For one, Hontiveros’ divorce bill provides an extensive section on “guiding principles,” which recognize that the family should be provided protection and assistance and provide what a divorce decree should have, among others.

Padilla’s version, meanwhile, has an “interpretation” clause which states that the measure should be “applied and interpreted in favor of the protection and strengthening of the family.”

Proposed grounds for divorce Hontiveros’ bill provides that couples can get a divorce after five continuous years of separation

even without a judicial decree of separation, but couples who are legally separated for at least two years can already get divorced.

Padilla’s bill, meanwhile, has a blanket provision stating that couples who have been separated in fact for at least two consecutive years can get divorced.

Both measures reference grounds provided under the Family Code for legal separation as grounds for divorce, but Hontiveros’ version provides that physical violence or grossly abusive conduct does not have to be repeated and that homosexuality in itself is not a ground unless either or both spouses commit marital infidelity.

Both proposals also provide that couples can divorce when they have divorced overseas or when they have irreconcilable differences.

Unique to Padilla’s version is a provision which states that having a child with another person other than one’s spouse during a marriage is a ground for divorce, unless both spouses agree to this, or a child is born to them in vitro, or when the wife becomes pregnant after getting raped.

Also unique to the Padilla bill is the mandatory six-month “cooling off” period which will be observed between the filing of the divorce petition and the start of

court proceedings, except in the following cases: • Summary judicial proceedings • Sexual infidelity • Attempt by the respondent on the life of a common child or a child of the petitioner or the petitioner themself • Or acts involving violence against women and their children Will it finally hurdle Congress?

The farthest that a divorce bill has gotten in Congress was in 2018, when it wa s passed by the House of Representatives in a 13457 vote under the speakership of pro-divorce lawmaker Pantaleon Alvarez (Davao del Norte).

The measure, however, got stuck in the Senate where it did not progress beyond the committee level.

It remains to be seen whether incoming congressional leaders — often elected with the imprimatur of the president — would shepherd divorce, which is seen by advocates as a pro-women legislation.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said when he was still campaigning for the top elective post that he is open to “take the next step” and legalize divorce, but urged that the process should not be made easy. A common argument against divorce is that it would devalue marriage by making it “too easy” to end one. n

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Dateline USa

July 15-21, 2022 • NORCAl ASIAN JOuRNAl

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Honoring the best of the Filipino diaspora...

Is your child prepared to have a fun & safe summer?

by We

Can Do This COVID-19 PublIC EDuCatIOn CamPaIgn

WHETHER it’s participating in a summer learning program, going to camp, or joining a new sports team, summer is an exciting time for children to learn, play, and grow through new experiences. However, if your child has not yet received their COVID-19 vaccine, they may not have the chance to enjoy this special time of year.

COVID-19 remains a public health concern and the longterm effects on children remain unknown. But, there is good news. Parents and caregivers can now get their children 6 months through 5 years of age vaccinated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines to better protect them from COVID-19. All children, including children who have already had COVID-19, should get vaccinated.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get your child summer ready.

COVID-19 vaccines are safe. They have undergone — and will continue to undergo — the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. Distribution of pediatric vaccinations for these younger children has started across the country, and will be available at thousands of pediatric practices, pharmacies, Federally Qualified Health Centers, local health departments, clinics, and other locations this week.

Here are some simple steps parents can take to ensure that their children are safe this summer, especially as they participate in programs with other kids: Get your child vaccinated.

Vaccination is the best defense against severe illness. Children 5 years or younger can be vaccinated with whichever vaccine is available (either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech).

Everyone 5 years or older should also get a COVID booster when eligible. Parents can reach out to their doctor, nurse, local pharmacy, or health department, or visit vaccines.gov to see where vaccines for children are available.

Practice general safety measures. Make sure your child knows about good handwashing techniques and maintain a supply of hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol.

As many young children have yet to receive a vaccine, they should continue to wear the most protective, best-fitting mask available for them.

Reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19. Keep your child home if they are exposed to COVID or show symptoms of illness. Before participating in any group activity, or if you suspect your child might be ill, get your child tested. In case of a positive test, follow the

CDC’s quarantine and isolation guidance and notify the group, team, or program being attended by your child.

Keep your child home if they are exposed to COVID or show symptoms consistent with COVID. If your child has been in close contact with someone who has COVID, keep them home from their summer program for five days, get them tested, and take precautions (such as wearing a mask around others) until day 10. If your child has any of the following symptoms, you should keep them home, get them tested, and notify camp staff: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea.

Take extra precautions if your child is at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Children with certain health issues — such as asthma, diabetes, obesity, and sickle cell disease — have a greater chance of getting very sick from COVID. Talk with your child’s health care provider to learn your options to help protect your child.

For more information on how COVID vaccines can make this the best summer yet for your family, visit vaccines.gov.

PAGE 3 their work or profession.

Recipients of the Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Award are Russ Patrick P. Alcedo (Canada), Glenda Lynna Anne T. Bonifacio (Canada), Josefino C. Comiso (USA), Sheila Maria A. Conejos (Singapore), Danilo M. Favor (UK), Glenn F. Fernandez (China), Laura D. Garcia (USA), Pamela D. Gotangco (Switzerland), Aurtenciano R. Miranda, Jr. (Italy), Ronaldo B. Nilo (Qatar), Caroline B. Ong (China), Glenn D. Pascual (USA), Lord Leomer B. Pomperada (USA), Karen Graciles L. Remo (United Arab Emirates), Albert Remus R. Rosana (Canada), Leorey N. Saligan (USA), and Walter S. Villagonzalo (Australia).

Kaanib ng Bayan A “Kaanib” is an ally or partner.

For Filipinos, a person who merits the title is like a member of the family. The title shows the country’s appreciation for and honoring foreign citizens or groups that assist the Philippines and its people. The award is conferred on foreign individuals and organizations for their exceptional or significant contribution to Philippine progress and development, or for advancing the cause or promoting the interests of overseas Filipino communities.

Recipients of the Presidential Kaanib ng Bayan Award are Issa Mohammad Ahmad (Jordan), Yasonna H. Laoly (Indonesia), Montero Medical Missions (USA), Philippine Bayanihan Society – Singapore (Singapore), and Temasek Foundation, Ltd. (Singapore).

A Special Presidential Citation

PAGE 1 In his explanatory note, Teves said the Manila International Airport was renamed after Ninoy in 1987 during the presidency of his widow, Corazon Aquino.

Ninoy, a senator who was critical of the policies of the elder Marcos, was assassinated on the tarmac of the airport in 1983, three years before the historic People Power revolt that ousted the former president.

Teves claimed that the airport project was done during the time of the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos, Sr., who became the Philippines’ chief executive in 1965.

“It is more appropriate to (Advertising Supplement) rename it (NAIA) to the person

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exceptional for having the most number of honorees who successfully passed the rigorous four-level multi-sectoral screening process.

The selection process started with the Awards Committee at the Philippine Embassies/ Consulates, Awards Technical Committee, and Awards Executive Committee chaired by the CFO and, finally the Office of the President. Also, members of the screening committees include the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Science and Technology, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Department of Health, De La Salle University, Center for Migrant Advocacy, Dynamic Outsource Solutions 1, GMA Network, Inc., and Episcopal Commission for Pastoral Care for Migrants and Itinerant People.

The PAFIOO serves as a continuing symbol of the government’s recognition of the selfless and immense contributions of Filipinos and private organizations overseas as dependable partners in national development efforts, exponents of Filipino talent and skills, and promoters of the interests of the Filipino diaspora. The PAFIOO is managed by the Policy, Planning, and Research Division of the CFO. For more information on the awardees, visit the PAFIOO Facebook page Gawad ng Pangulo https://www.facebook. com/gawadpangulo or visit the PAFIOO official website www. presidentialawards.cfo.gov.ph.

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was given to the Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (USA).

Most of the recipients personally accepted their awards. A few sent representatives to receive their awards.

Each presidential awardee shared their inspirational stories and expressed their gratitude for the honor during the testimonial dinner. They said they were thankful to be part of the elite roster of PAFIOO recipients, the crème de la crème of the Filipino diaspora, and the Filipino community overseas.

All recipients said the honor would inspire and motivate them to do more for overseas Filipinos and the Philippines. One of the awardees said, “I salute the values and the spirit that this award embodies, but it also brings great responsibility to continue to be a beacon of Filipino excellence in every corner of the world.”

CFO Head Executive Assistant Atty. Wendell Dimaculangan formally closed the event by proposing a toast to and congratulating all the awardees.

He also gave recognition to the excellent public service of Secretary Acosta, whose last day in office under the Duterte administration coincided with the PAFIOO Awarding Ceremony.

The event was live-streamed via the official Facebook Page of the PAFIO and CFO, and hosted by Dr. Finesse Evangelista and Carlo Suzara.

Since it was instituted more than three decades ago, the PAFIOO has been presented to 541 individuals and entities based abroad. This year is particularly

who has contributed to the idea and execution of the said noble project,” the lawmaker said.

But according to the website of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which operates NAIA, the country’s premiere airport was originally a U.S. Air Force base until 1948, when it was turned over to the Philippine government.

The fledgling civil aviation airport’s facilities were nothing more than the current domestic runway and a small building as its only passenger terminal, the website said. MIAA said the first 13 years of the airport were marked by the building of infrastructure dedicated to international flights.

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“The international runway and associated taxiway were built in 1953, and 1961 saw the completion of a control tower and a terminal building for the exclusive use of international passengers at the southwest intersection of the runways.

This system came to be officially known as the Manila International Airport,” the website said.

During the previous congress, Rep. Ducielle Cardema (Duterte Youth party-list) filed a measure that sought to rename NAIA back to its original name Manila International Airport.

Cardema claimed that the name of the airport had been “politicized.” n

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 15-21, 2022

5

Romualdez refiles bill creating US-type CDC Boracay is among 50 of ‘world’s greatest places of 2022’

by DELON

PORCALLA

Philstar.com

MANILA — Incoming speaker Martin Romualdez has refiled the bill previously passed by the House of Representatives seeking to create a United States-type Center for Disease Control (CDC) medical facility to better prepare the country for future pandemics.

“We hope that with the opening of the 19th Congress, this important measure will again be prioritized by our chamber and finally be passed into law, so that the country will be better equipped should another pandemic hit us,” Romualdez said.

“We have learned our lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and this measure will ensure our stronger response and preparedness to any public health emergency,” he added.

Among the reelected Leyte congressman’s co-authors in House Bill No. 9 are his wife Yedda Marie and neophyte Jude Acidre, who both represent Tingog party-list.

The proposed “Philippine Center for Disease Prevention and Control Act” is a consolidation of 13 House bills establishing the CDC that were referred to the House committee on health during the previous 18th Congress (July 2019-June 2022).

Romualdez, the majority leader in the previous Congress, said the proposed measure would better prepare the country against public health emergencies, through health modernization and institutional reforms.

Reelected Reps. Mikee Romero of 1Pacman party-list and Paolo Duterte of Davao City have also filed their advocacy bills in the chamber, among them the putting up of a specialty hospital for poor cancer patients and e-learning centers nationwide, respectively.

“There is a need to establish a specialty hospital at the national level to further enhance the noble undertaking of the government and likewise complement the already existing cancer control law,” Romero said.

In filing HB 340, he explained that while there were provisions stipulated in the National Integrated Cancer Control Act to establish cancer centers on the regional health care level, there is still a need to create a “specialty

hospital on the national level dedicated to cancer.”

Meanwhile, the lawmakerson of former president Rodrigo Duterte believes in the necessity of establishing e-learning centers across the country, especially since the movements of students have been restricted due to the two-year global pandemic.

“It shall serve as a venue wherein people from all walks of life could have access to information and communication technologies. This shall benefit not just the youth but also adults who seek to gain further knowledge and develop new skills,” the younger Duterte said.

He recognized the imminent need for accessibility and availability of alternative modes of learning to at least alleviate the repercussions of the pandemic not only in terms of the quality of the educational system, but also to the well-being of the students and teachers.

“To eradicate these hindrances in our educational system, this bill seeks to establish at least one e-learning center in every municipality and city in the country,” Duterte said in filing HB 453.

Legislative agenda Amid these developments, a former House official on Monday, July 11 underscored the need for both houses of Congress to support the legislative agenda of President Marcos in the next six years.

“Congress ought to support the President’s economic agenda by passing laws essential to rebuilding the economy, spurring the creation of jobs, encouraging MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and reducing poverty,” former deputy speaker Isidro Ungab said.

Ungab emphasized the significance of having a “wellcrafted economic framework and fiscal program geared toward achieving inclusive and sustainable development, responsive to the aspirations of the Filipino people.”

The Davao City lawmaker, who used to head the powerful House appropriations committee, made the remarks as he lauded the Department of Finance’s recent launching of its MediumTerm Fiscal Framework (MTFF), describing it as “very promising.”

“I believe this will be our country’s pivotal point towards the trajectory of resilient economic recovery. This MTFF and the government’s updated medium-term macroeconomic assumptions and fiscal program are what we need to guide us during these difficult times,” he said.

“I fully agree with the PBBM administration that this is a good game plan in facing the challenges wrought by the pandemic, the ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the high inflation rate, among others,” he added.

This developed as four lawmakers from Camarines Sur, led by reelected Rep. LRay Villafuerte, supported Romualdez’s “priority plan” to accelerate the Marcos administration’s digital transformation.

Villafuerte, his son Miguel and fellow CamSur Congressman Tsuyoshi Anthony Horibata, along with neophyte Rep. Nicolas Enciso VIII of party-list Bicol Saro, filed HB 277 aimed at enhancing further the e-government project.

The bill will “further improve the ease of doing business and brush-up the country’s image as a top investment haven, while letting Filipinos continue transacting business without actually having to go to various government agencies themselves in the post-COVID 19 scenario,” according to Villafuerte Villafuerte first filed an e-government bill way back in the 17th Congress (2016-2019), or even before the pandemic struck in 2020, to improve the ease of doing business, promote greater transparency and do away with corruption in official transactions.

In HB 277, Villafuerte said “the Marcos government ought to fully utilize the newly created DICT to integrate Information and Communications Technology development in all state offices instead of having agency-specific applications.”

The four Bicol authors said the adoption of these six components of the master plan would enhance the access to and delivery of government services to bring about efficient, responsive, ethical, accountable and transparent government service. ■

by ALEXANDER

T. MAGNO

Inquirer.net

MANILA — Boracay has made it to a Time list titled “The world’s greatest places of 2022: 50 extraordinary destinations to explore,” which was posted on its website on Tuesday, July 12.

Boracay — already a popular tourist destination for its whitesand beaches — was one of eight destinations in Asia on the list. An aerial photo of a beach on the island has this caption: “Paradise reborn.”

The seven other Asian destinations, along with their descriptions are: • Seoul: The smartest city • Kerala, India: Ecotourism hot spot • Ahmedabad, India: Higher Learning • Trans Bhutan Trail in Bhutan: Breathtaking pilgrimage • Bali, Indonesia: Resortapalooza!

• Kyushu Island, Japan: Volcanic Beauty • Setouchi Islands, Japan: Immersed in art For the full list of destinations, click this link: “The world’s greatest places of 2022.”

According to Time, it came

up with the list — in which the places were not ranked — by asking its correspondents and contributors worldwide for their nominations, “with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences.”

The Time feature notes: “Many of the destinations are charting a path to economic recovery; this year paradise reopens on The Philippines’ Boracay Island, which had been closed for years due to overtourism and then the COVID-19 pandemic. Others are thriving, growing, and changing, like the luxe city of Doha, Qatar, which is opening 100 new hotels to accommodate 2022 World Cup spectators.”

In April 2018, then-President Rodrigo Duterte ordered Boracay Island — which he described as “a cesspool” — closed to tourists, local and foreign, for rehabilitation.

It partially reopened in October of the same year.

But when the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in 2020, the island was again closed to tourism starting in March due to various restrictions.

Then-Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat announced its reopening to tourists later in Ocober. But

visitors were still subject to restrictions before being allowed entry — mainly, COVID-19 testing — and there was a limit to the number of visitors. ■

BAYAN NG HILLSBOROUGH PAUNAWA SA HALALAN

Ipinapaunawa dito na ang isang Pangkalahatang Halalan sa Munisipyo ay gaganapin sa Bayan ng Hillsborough sa Martes, Nobyembre 8, 2022, para sa mga sumusunod na opisyal: Dalawang Miyembro ng Konseho ng Lungsod – Buong termino ng apat na taon Ang araw ng nominasyon para sa mga tanggapang ito ay magsisimula sa Lunes, Hulyo 18, 2022 sa ganap na 8:00 a.m. at magsasara sa Biyernes, Agosto 12, 2022 ng 12:00 p.m.

Kung ang mga papeles ng nominasyon para sa kasalukuyang nanunungkulan na opisyal ng Bayan ay hindi naihain bago ang Biyernes, Agosto 12, 2022 sa ganap na ika-12 p.m. (ang ika-88 araw bago ang halalan), ang mga botante ay magkakaroon ng hanggang ika-83 araw bago ang halalan, Miyerkules, Agosto 17, 2022 sa 5:00 p.m., upang magmungkahi ng mga kandidato maliban sa (mga) opisyal na kasalukuyang nanunungkulan sa ika-88 araw bago ang halalan.

Kung wala o isang tao lamang ang nominado para sa isang elektibong katungkulan, ang paghirang sa elektibong opisina ay maaaring gawin ayon sa itinakda ng Seksyon 10229 ng Elections Code ng Estado ng California.

Ang mga botohan (mga sentro ng pagboto) ay magbubukas sa pagitan ng mga oras na 7:00 a.m. at 8:00 p.m. ng Nobyembre 8, 2022.

Lisa Natusch Kleriko ng Lungsod, Bayan ng Hillsborough 7/15/22 GOLDEN HOUR. A couple on a paddleboard glides through the calm waters of Boracay Island CNS-3603150# amid the soothing backdrop of the setting sun. The resort island in Malay, Aklan, is bracing for ASIAN JOURNAL the arrival of local and foreign tourists as travel restrictions are eased.

Inquirer.net file photo by Jack Jarilla (NORTHERN CALIF.)

6

JULY 15-21, 2022 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPINION

FEATURES

Weak deterrence

Penalties are imposed to serve as a deterrent against crime. The deterrence is inevitably weakened when it takes an eternity for justice to take its course.

Snail-paced justice is among the biggest hindrances to the development of a society where the rule of law prevails. This glacial pace is again being seen in the corruption case filed against retired Maj. Gen. Carlos Garcia, who was indicted for illegally amassing P303 million when he was military comptroller from 1993 to 2004.

Garcia was originally charged with plunder and money laundering in 2005 and 2009, respectively.

Under a deal he struck with then ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez, Garcia pleaded guilty to the lesser offenses of direct bribery and facilitating money laundering before the Sandiganbayan in December 2010.

The Office of the Solicitor General challenged the validity of the plea deal before the Supreme Court, which issued a temporary restraining order that halted the Sandiganbayan proceedings. The TRO was lifted only in 2020, when the SC upheld the plea bargain.

Last week the Sandiganbayan finally convicted Garcia and sentenced him to eight to 14 years for direct bribery and facilitating money laundering.

He has been serving his sentence for two corruption cases at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa since 2011.

The anti-graft court also ordered Garcia to

pay a total fine of P407.8 million, with corresponding imprisonment if he cannot pay. Perhaps his codefendants who are at large – his wife Clarita and their sons Carl, Juan Paulo and Timothy Mark – can come up with the enormous amount. Upon his retirement from the military, Garcia also reportedly received a “pabaon” or send-off money amounting to a whopping P165 million.

After nearly two decades of litigation, this case could still go to the SC for a final ruling. It’s the same with other high-profile cases involving billions in public funds, among them the 2004 fertilizer scam and the pork barrel scam, which involve multiple defendants.

It shouldn’t be impossible to speed up the administration of justice. Other countries can rule quickly with finality on court cases, even if prominent or notorious personalities are involved.

Apart from speeding up adjudication, the judicial system can use a merit-based system of appointment and promotion, insulated from politics and influence peddling. Owing favors to politicians and expecting help in career advancement from parties in court cases have seriously undermined the administration of justice in this country. The damage should not prove to be irreversible. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

‘Maritess’ in Malacañang

CTalk

CITO BELTRAN "MARITESS” in Malacañang is currently sharing information that several factions are beginning to form among supporters of BBM and the division of sorts is happening as a result of nominations and endorsements for positions inside the PBBM administration.

“Maritess” suggests that there are now rings around PBBM much like the rings on a bullseye and PBBM in the center. The outer rings are politicians and friends, the inner rings are kamag-anaks and serious supporters during the campaign and the closest tightest ring to get through would be the president’s working team in Malacañang.

Things have apparently gotten touchy because of the nominations and announcement of certain individuals that were challenged in media and business circles last week while other and better nominees were “dropped.”

While some Malacañang officials blamed it on poor screening or

too much work, Maritess claims that some of those individuals were no strangers to the working team. This sort of thing is nothing new and has existed in other administrations and previous tenants of Malacañang.

Perhaps PBBM should keep a score card on nominators and people who regularly make recommendations and impose a one-strike policy where a bad or poor nomination results in endorsers and team members losing future opportunities to recommend or screen people.

PBBM might find it beneficial to learn from Albert Speer who wrote the book “Inside The Third Reich,” particularly about what he observed in the inner circle of Adolf Hitler. In the book, Speer referred to the formation or evolution of a “Court” composed of people who intentionally stroked the ego of Hitler while creating a tight grip on power and access to Hitler. Speer pointed out that Hitler knew about it and made the mistake of condoning or tolerating the court as it eventually led to his isolation and delusion. In current history, the same thing is being said about Russian

President Vladimir Putin, who is surrounded by a similar court composed of oligarchs and generals.

In his first week as President, PBBM gained cautious approval for selecting the highest caliber of people for his economic team. Into his second week, people noted lapses, gave mixed reviews and ultimately raised questions. This early in the game, President Bongbong Marcos needs to widen the circle around him and prevent those he trusts from creating a “court” or, worst of all, a Cordon Sanitaire that will strangle his leadership.

Whether it’s in the kitchen with mothers or with friends facing complicated situations, some people who’ve tried to give unsolicited advice or help have ended up being told: “You’re not helping” or “You’re just making things worse.”

The same could be said for people who are giving unsolicited praise or building unwelcomed monuments for the Marcoses just because BBM has become the 17th President of the Philippines. A classic example of such suck-up-ism would be the

proposal to rename the Ninoy Aquino International Airport into the Ferdinand Marcos International Airport.

The suggestion or attempt to rename NAIA is a clear example worthy of the phrase “You’re not helping” or “Just making matters worse.” While PBBM is clearly trying to prove himself through wise and prudent first moves in governance, particularly in the selection of his Cabinet members, the unsolicited act to rename NAIA stirs up controversy and places the Marcoses once again under the spotlight of criticism for something they did not initiate. Instead of “helping” to smoothen things out for PBBM’s reentry into Malacañang, the unsolicited suggestion has placed him in a bad light and made the Marcoses targets for a slew of memes and insults on social media. The legislator or legislators who came up with the bad idea obviously did not think of consequences before making the suggestion because if they did, they might have considered the aftermath.

Some of the points raised are: 1. Renaming NAIA would

be “Double Murder” because after being murdered on the tarmac at NAIA 1, removing Ninoy Aquino’s name would be tantamount to murdering his memory and sacrifice for the nation. 2. If NAIA is renamed to FMIA, nothing can stop people from referring to it as FMIA “where Ninoy Aquino was murdered.” Last weekend, someone came out with a dark and derogatory jumble of letters where he named the airport as the “Marcos Family International Airport” or MAFIA. Funny for some but certainly insulting or injurious to the family concerned, and all because of some people’s unsolicited attempt to curry favor or trying to do the Marcoses a favor they did not ask for.

On the other hand, it might be a good idea for officials in Malacañang to look into the matter in terms of ulterior motives. There is a possibility that the suggestion to rename NAIA goes beyond suck-up-ism and may be a veiled attempt to ensure that current suggestions or future possibilities of selling the NAIA complex never happens. At the moment, there is

a growing move to partition and sell NAIA to property developers and create new townships and commercial centers.

The presumption is that it will never happen during the term of PBBM if NAIA is renamed into FMIA. It is public knowledge that certain business groups and aviation-related operators want to preserve the status quo and power bloc in Philippine aviation by preserving their hold on large properties inside the huge area of the Manila International Airport. The current tenants on government land inside MIAA are paying some of the cheapest rent per square meter in all of Metro Manila and the overlords of Imperial Manila love the fact that MIAA/NAIA is just a few minutes away from their offices and residential palaces. If MIAA/ NAIA is chopped up into blocks and sold, they would all have to move to different airports and hangars outside Metro Manila.

(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.

COVID caution still essential

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ THE news about President Bongbong Marcos testing positive for COVID-19 after an antigen test serves as a grim reminder that the virus is still very much around us and the battle against this virus continues.

Although the President has only manifested a slight fever, there is no denying that we still need to be very vigilant, especially in the wake of reports about a new subvariant that is highly transmissible and can possibly evade our acquired immunity.

In fact, a report by The Washington Post with the headline “The worst virus variant has just arrived” detailed how the latest Omicron subvariant identified as BA.5 and a closely related variant called BA.4 have swept across the United States late last year, accounting for about 70 percent of all infections, according to estimates by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The Washington Post quoted

Scripps Research professor of molecular medicine, Dr. Eric Topol, who said that the BA.5 is “the worst version of the virus that we’ve seen” as it has extensive immune escape capability (meaning it can evade the body’s immune system), as well as enhanced transmissibility. The variants, the report further noted, are also “driving a case surge in Europe.”

“The greatest need is for next generation vaccines that are more broadly protective (with longer lasting immunity) and that can dampen transmission,” The Washington Post said, concluding that while there is a major research effort underway to achieve this, “the finish line is not yet in sight.”

With my resumption as Philippine Ambassador to the United States, we are ready to start discussions once again with our friends from Moderna and Pfizer. I have already alerted our team at the Philippine embassy in Washington, D.C. to set the wheels in motion for fresh talks regarding these new highly effective boosters being developed by the leading U.S. drug companies.

Clinical trial data from Moderna regarding its “bivalent booster vaccine” have shown to be highly effective against the BA.4 and BA.5 variants which, according to Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel, “represent an emergent threat to global health.”

Pfizer is also developing a booster that is capable of neutralizing the BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants. The U.S. FDA has also given authorization for Pfizer’s antiviral pill Paxlovid to be prescribed by licensed pharmacists. Paxlovid has shown to be highly effective for patients who are at high risk of severe illness, reducing the risk of hospitalization and death by about 89 percent.

President Marcos himself said he wants to enhance vaccination efforts, noting that people who have received booster shots have better immunity against the Omicron subvariants that are highly transmissible and could drive a spike in infections.

Everyone knows the vaccines developed by American companies have proven to be the most effective, with the U.S. having donated millions

of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines to the Philippines, pledging to donate over 1.1 billion doses to countries all over the world.

During an interview with media friends, I told them that we are highly recommending for the President to speak at the 77th UN General Assembly in September. Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo has also formally recommended the President’s attendance.

We will also work with our UN permanent representative Ambassador Tonette Lagdameo in arranging side meetings with other world leaders as recommended by DFA Secretary Manalo.

Even before the elections, I recommended to President BBM that perhaps one of his first major trips abroad would be to speak at the UN. We are confident it will also be a good working trip as this would be his first worldwide exposure as president, with the opportunity to meet a number of heads of state in one venue.

We are also working towards arranging a separate bilateral meeting within the year in Washington, D.C. between President Marcos

and President Biden, who invited the President to come to Washington “as soon as our teams find a suitable date.”

While in New York, we hope to organize meetings with American investors and business organization leaders eager to meet the President and explore economic and investment prospects in the Philippines. I plan to meet Finance Secretary Ben Diokno this coming week to plot out the economic forums we plan to mount. During the pandemic, we conducted a number of virtual economic forums, later going on the hybrid format as the COVID-19 situation eased up.

In the coming year, we plan to hold more in-person types of engagements in collaboration with the new economic managers that include Trade Secretary Fred Pascual and the team from the Board of Investments, and of course the team of Finance Secretary Diokno and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Felipe Medalla.

Last March in Washington, the Philippines and the U.S. signed a Memorandum of Understanding to further

deepen their cooperation in developing the nuclear energy program of the Philippines and ensure a resilient, inclusive and green economic growth for the country by intensifying the work in securing reliable and sustainable energy sources, including nuclear energy.

We know that foremost in the mind of President Marcos is the economic aspect of our relationship with the United States, which we hope to intensify even further as we begin our fresh mandate following my reappointment.

Everyone agrees, no single country can recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why it is important to maintain good trade and economic ties with other countries, most especially allies like the United States – a country that has always been with us at a time when we needed them most.

(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.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 15-21, 2022

7

DOH: BA.5 most dominant Omicron subvariant Taming inflation a Marcos priority

by Rhodina

VillanueVa Philstar.com

MANILA — The most dominant Omicron subvariant in several regions is now BA.5, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Tuesday, July 12.

“Based on our sequencing results, we can really see more of the BA.5 as compared to other variants,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online briefing.

However, Vergeire noted that “we cannot conclude for all because we know that our sequencing is quite limited.”

“That depends only on who submitted samples. Thus, it is not giving us a complete picture of the entire country,” she added.

Latest available data from the DOH showed there were 60 additional BA.5 cases detected in the country, 58 from Region 6 and one each from Region 11 and Region 12.

One individual is vaccinated while the vaccination status of the other 59 are still being verified.

Of the infected, 43 are now tagged as recovered, 14 are still in isolation while the rest are being verified.

The DOH also reported that 17 more BA.2.12.1 cases were detected – six from Region 6, 10 from Region 11 and one returning overseas Filipino.

Two presented mild symptoms, one was asymptomatic while the status of the remaining 13 is still being verified.

Of these infections, 15 were tagged as recovered while the two are in isolation.

Data from the DOH also noted the detection of two additional BA.4 cases – one each from Region 11 and 12 – one fully vaccinated while the other is unvaccinated.

Both cases presented mild symptoms and have now recovered. At the moment, the exposure of these individuals is still unknown and travel histories are being verified.

So far, the country has recorded a total of 293 BA.5 cases, 87 BA.2.12.1 cases and 12 BA.4 cases.

“No matter what type of variant you have of COVID-19, and you are vaccinated and boosted, you can still get the infection because the promise of vaccination is not to block transmission of the disease but to protect us against severe and critical infections and, of course, protection from dying from these diseases,” Vergeire said.

‘Close to peaking’ The surge of new COVID-19 cases in the National Capital Region (NCR) may be close to reaching its peak, OCTA Research Group fellow Guido David said on Tuesday.

“The indicators show a slowing down of the growth rate in cases and there is a chance that cases in the NCR are peaking or have already peaked. The trends should be clearer after a week,” David said, noting that the region’s growth rate decelerated from

57 percent on July 4 to just 32 percent on Monday, July 11.

David earlier clarified that a positive growth rate means that the average number of new cases is still increasing. It will only decrease once the surge has reached its peak and the indicator is already negative.

According to OCTA, NCR had an average of 710 new cases per day from July 5 to 11, equivalent to an average daily attack rate of 4.93 new infections per 100,000 people. Health care utilization in the region is still at “low” 28 percent, while 20 percent of intensive care units for COVID-19 cases are occupied.

Warning Those getting re-infected with COVID-19 should not be complacent, as it may take some two to three months before complications start to manifest, infectious diseases expert Dr. Rontgene Solante warned.

“The impact of this reinfection and breakthrough infections, it will not be felt at once. We will see the effects two to three months from now, those infected not because of COVID, but because of the longterm effect of COVID which will affect the heart, lungs and other vital organs,” Solante said in Monday’s episode of The Chiefs on One News.

“We have already seen a lot of data especially with reinfection, those getting more risks for long COVID and developing complications, and with breakthrough infections, there is also the possibility of more long COVID cases,” he added.

“Right now, we are getting, although in small numbers, we are getting people who are now required for high mechanical ventilation in some of the hospitals I’m affiliated with. We are not yet safe, and that is why we are seeing people on the ground, having severe COVID. Even if we say, there are now less cases compared to when Delta was dominant, which is expected. That severe form of COVID is not zero even with these new variants,” Solante stressed.

“It is high time for health experts and policy makers to really give a good look on how we can improve our vaccination, that is why I’m telling you, probably, the most important pathway, if there is no updated definition of the full vaccination, then let’s have it mandatory, especially for the general public to get the first booster,” he said.

The expert added that receiving booster shots is very important. “Yes, the symptoms now can be mild, because you had the primary series but then if you don’t want to get sick more, you better get the booster.”

Earlier, Solante called for booster shots to be made mandatory amid the continuing increase in COVID-19 infections and the higher positivity rates recorded in the past weeks.

Wall of immunity The optional wearing of face masks will have to wait until such time that the country has achieved a stronger “wall of

PAUNAWA SA HALALAN IPINAPAUNAWA na ang isang Pangkalahatang Halalan sa Munisipyo ay gaganapin sa Lungsod ng Burlingame sa Martes, Nobyembre 8, 2022 para sa mga sumusunod na mga opisyal: - Para pagbotohan ang isang (1) Miyembro ng Konseho, sa buong termino ng apat (4) na taon para sa Konseho ng Distrito 1 - Para pagbotohan ang isang (1) Miyembro ng Konseho, sa buong termino ng apat (4) na taon para sa Konseho ng Distrito 3 - Para pagbotohan ang isang (1) Miyembro ng Konseho, sa buong termino ng apat (4) na taon para sa Konseho ng Distrito 5 Ang paghahain para sa mga kandidato ay magbubukas sa Lunes, Hulyo 18, 2022 sa ika-8 nang umaga at magsasara sa Biyernes, Agosto 12, 2022 sa ika-5 nang hapon.

Hindi na palalawigin ang paghahain, dahil ito ang unang taon na magkakaroon ng halalan sa distrito sa Lungsod. Kaya, ito ay mga bagong opisina at walang kasalukuyang nanunungkulan na opisyal.

Lahat ng interesadong kandidato ay kailangang rehistradong botante ng Burlingame Council District, na kanilang inaaplayan, nang ibinigay ang papeles ng nominasyon.

Ang Lungsod ng Burlingame ay naniningil ng $25 sa pag-file.

Karagdagan pa, ang mga kandidatong gustong maghain ng pahayag ng kandidato sa Pamplet ng Impormasyon ng Botante ay sisingilin ng bayad batay sa halaga ng pag-imprenta ng kanilang mga pahayag.

Ang mga papeles sa nominasyon para sa nahalal na posisyong Miyembro ng Konseho ng Burlingame District 1, Miyembro ng Konseho ng Burlingame District 3, at Miyembro ng Konseho ng Burlingame District 5 ay makukuha sa opisina ng Kleriko ng Lungsod, 501 Primrose Road, Burlingame, California Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, mangyaring makipagugnayan sa Kleriko ng Lungsod na si Meaghan Hassel-Shearer sa (650)-558-7203 o sa mhasselshearer@burlingame.org.

IPINAPAUNAWA rin na ang mga pinagbotohang Vote-by-Mail at Conditional Balots para sa Halalan na ginanap noong Martes, Nobyembre 8, 2022, ay bibilangin sa lokasyon sa ibaba: County of San Mateo Registration & Elections Division 40 Tower Road San Mateo, CA 94402 IPINAPAUNAWA na sa naturang halalan, ang mga botohan ay magbubukas mula ika-7 nang umaga, hanggang ika- 8:00 nang gabi, sa araw ng halalan, sa Nobyembre 8, 2022. Bukod pa rito, ang mga sentro ng pagboto ay magbubukas simula sa 29 na araw bago ang halalan sa buong County para sa lahat ng interesadong botante.

Isang listahan ng mga lokasyon at oras ang ibibigay sa Pamplet ng Impormasyon ng Botante.

Petsa: Hulyo 5, 2022 /s/ Meaghan Hassel-Shearer Burlingame Kleriko ng Lungsod / City Elections Official 7/15/22 CNS-3603482# ASIAN JOURNAL (NORTHERN CALIF.)

immunity,” Vergeire said on Tuesday Vergeire said they have already discussed the matter with experts and even with the Office of the President, specifically on making it optional when a person is outdoors.

“But there are conditions for us to reach that point wherein we can already afford to allow a little leniency on the wearing of face masks when people are outside or in open areas, and that is only when our ‘wall of immunity’ has been strengthened,” Vergeire said at virtual press briefing.

“So now, how do we improve that wall of immunity, that is by increasing the uptake of booster shots for the general population, that is when we can say that that the population is protected,” she added.

“There is a need to go back to that principle we advocate and that is population protection. When you say you have protected your population, you have protected the priority population which is the vulnerable and this is what we want to achieve in the coming months. When you say vulnerable, they are the ones most vulnerable to severe and critical infections of COVID-19, and these are our senior citizens, those with comorbidities, our healthcare workers and the youth sector,” the DOH spokesperson said.

Vergeire added that for this to happen, there is a need to intensify the uptake of boosters and that, according to experts, u PAGE 8

by Catherine

S. Valente ManilaTimes.net

FIGHTING inflation is a top economic priority for President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., anticipating it as a "potential problem" for the country, a Malacañang official said on Tuesday, July 12.

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles made the statement upon the release of the latest Pulse Asia survey results showing that the topmost urgent national concern that the majority of Filipinos want Marcos to address is controlling inflation.

"We actually discussed inflation at the last Cabinet meeting and the President himself reported this, so he is actually ahead of the publication of the survey having anticipated this as a potential problem," Cruz-Angeles said in a text message.

The Pulse Asia survey results released also on Tuesday showed that 57% of the respondents are concerned about the need to control the increase in the prices of basic goods and services.

It said inflation was the most urgent national concern of those from Metro Manila (67%), those from Mindanao (69%), and those belonging to socioeconomic classes D and E (58 and 62%, respectively).

In contrast, those residing in the rest of Luzon and the Visayas are most concerned about inflation (46% and 62%, respectively) and workers' pay (43% and 52%, respectively) while the leading national concerns in Class ABC are inflation (48%), workers' pay

(43%), poverty reduction (31%), and job creation (29%), the pollster added.

Earlier, the Philippine Statistics Authority said the country's headline inflation rate in June 2022 reached 6.1% — a three-year high since November 2018's 6.1% and October 2018's 6.9%.

On July 5, the President said he disagreed with the most recent report because "we are not that high [where inflation is concerned]," but Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno later clarified that Marcos was "referring to it as a full-year figure."

The year-to-date inflation stands at 4.4%, which is within the 4.5% to 5.5% target set for 2022 by the Development Budget Coordination Committee last week.

Meanwhile, around 20% of the 1,200 respondents want the new administration to fight graft and corruption in the government, while next on the list are the need to enforce the law (15%), fight criminality (14%), promote peace (14%), provide assistance or subsidy to those who lost their livelihood and jobs because of the Covid-19 pandemic (14%), and address the problem of involuntary hunger (12%).

Marcos' first executive order abolished the Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission, deeming that it only duplicates and overlaps official functions as the country faces health and fiscal crises.

Other issues identified as urgent by less than 10% of the adult population are those related

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles Inquirer.net

to taxes (9%), environmental degradation (7%), support for the restoration of small businesses (7%), national territorial defense (7%), welfare of overseas Filipino workers (5%), and terrorism (3%).

The Pulse Asia survey noted that two years after the first lockdown triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic, only 7% of those polled said it is urgent for the Marcos administration to control the spread of the virus.

Pulse Asia conducted face-toface interviews with 1,200 adults nationwide for the survey, where they asked participants to identify the top three concerns they believe the new administration should urgently address.

The results have a ±2.8% error margin at the 95% confidence level for national%ages, and a ±5.7% error margin at the 95% confidence level for sub-national areas of Metro Manila, the rest of Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. n

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23 bills certified urgent by Duterte passed into law Go bills seek better PH health care

by Alexis

RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — Out of the 27 measures certified as urgent by the Duterte administration, 23 have become laws, data from the Presidential Legislative Liaison Office (PLLO) showed.

Nearly all of the bills certified as urgent by former president Rodrigo Duterte have been passed

by Congress but only 36 of his 75 priority measures, proclamations and international agreements were enacted into law or have secured the concurrence of lawmakers, according to the PLLO. If the President certifies a measure as urgent, Congress may approve it on second and third reading on the same day.

As of June 27, three urgent measures that have not been enacted into law are the bill strengthening the financing system for agriculture, fisheries and rural development in the Philippines; amendments to Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016; and the proposed act institutionalizing anti-drug abuse councils in every local government unit.

One of the items certified as urgent by Duterte was the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a free trade agreement among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. The agreement has to be ratified by the Senate before it takes effect in the Philippines.

Earlier this month, President Marcos ordered agriculture officials to come up with a memorandum enumerating the advantages and disadvantages of RCEP so the government could

decide on whether it would push for its ratification.

Meanwhile, the measure that aims to strengthen the financing system for agriculture, fisheries and rural development was ratified by both chambers of Congress last May and was transmitted to Malacañang for the President’s signature last June 27.

Under the Constitution, the President has 30 days to sign or veto a bill transmitted to his office.

If the President does not act on the measure within 30 days, it would lapse into law.

The amendments to the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 were approved by the House of Representatives but remained pending in the Senate civil service committee.

The bill institutionalizing antidrug abuse councils in every local government unit was approved on final reading by the House but did not secure second reading approval in the Senate.

The rest of the priority bills were bypassed by Congress, including measures on property valuation system of local government units; the Department of Disaster Resilience bill; internet transactions act; government financial institutions unified initiatives to distressed enterprises for economic recovery act; passive income tax and financial intermediary tax reform; amusement tax on digital platform and offshore betting stations of licensed cockpits; stiffer penalties for illegal drag racing; the rental housing subsidy bill; medical reserve corps act; establishment of a Disease Prevention and Control Authority; the Bureau of Immigration modernization act; the advance

nursing education act; creation of the Boracay Island Development Authority; institutionalization of e-governance; the Virology and Vaccine Institute of the Philippines bill; establishment of evacuation centers in every city, province and municipality; increasing the share of local governments in the national internal revenue taxes; magna carta of barangay health workers; granting of amnesty to former communist rebels; amendments to the Continuing Professional Development Act of 2016 and the bill seeking to institutionalize anti-drug abuse councils in every LGU. Other priority bills bypassed by the previous Congress were the bills on amendments to the Bank Secrecy Law; creating a unified pension system for the military and uniformed personnel; the Department of Water Resources bill; Water Regulatory Commission bill; national land use act; government rightsizing bill; magna carta for barangays; reimposition of death penalty by lethal injection for heinous crimes and plunder; the mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps bill; national defense act; national housing and development bill; creation of the Environmental Protection and Enforcement Bureau; increased penalties for malversation of public funds; creation of agency for maritime workers and seafarers; free legal assistance to military and uniformed personnel and increase of minimum access volume of pork meat by 350,000 metric tons.

Last May, former Cabinet secretary Melvin Matibag said priority bills of Duterte that were bypassed by Congress would be endorsed to the Marcos administration. n

Only 2 minority senators? Risa, Koko unfazed MANILA — Senators Risa Hontiveros and Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III are unfazed by the prospect of being the only two members of the minority bloc in the Senate in the 19th Congress.

There have been reports of sibling Senators Pia and Alan Peter Cayetano possibly joining the minority, but the talks still appear to be cursory and tentative with the opening of the 19th Congress just a little over two weeks away.

“If there are those willing to join us – but on the basis of my agreement with Sen. Koko that

EMPLOYMENT

we’ll be a true minority and we’ll be a fruitful minority, and that has been my principle from the start, so it’s not important how few we are as long as we’re the true minority,” Hontiveros said in Filipino during an online press conference.

When asked whether or not they are intimidated by the possibility of facing a 22-member majority bloc led by the presumptive Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, she replied: “Not at all.”

“We remain steadfast to do checks and balances, and be

fruitful in terms of new laws for our countrymen,” she said.

The senator admitted that they have little to offer to Cayetano to join the minority but stressed she and Pimentel were “happy” as it is.

Hontiveros earlier said the political opposition will help the Marcos administration revive the economy and repair the damage inflicted by the pandemic, but will continue to fight violence, oppression, disinformation and historical revisionism.

(Paolo Romero/ Philstar.com)

EMPLOYMENT

by Javier Joe ismael ManilaTimes.net

SEN. Christopher Lawrence "Bong" Go on Tuesday, July 12 made clear his firm commitment to continue promoting the health and well-being of Filipinos as most of the priority measures he filed in the 19th Congress aim to upgrade the public health system and improve access to health care services.

"Several of the bills I have filed are for the strengthening of our health care system. The health of every Filipino is very important to me. This is why most of my priority proposals are geared toward this," Go said.

"I have witnessed the pandemic from Day 1. I have seen the overcrowding of patients in the hospitals where some of them were treated in corridors.

Our medical frontliners were facing difficulties for lack of equipment. There is a need to expand the knowledge of our nurses and provide them higher pay. It is also important that we establish a research institute for the emerging new diseases so we could contain them early," he added.

The senator also filed bills that seek to provide free annual medical checkups for all Filipinos and a comprehensive dialysis benefit package for all PhilHealth members.

"Because getting dialysis is costly, I am proposing the 'Comprehensive Dialysis Benefit Package' for free dialysis for all members of PhilHealth.

PhilHealth is also mandated to be strict in analyzing the claims that are related to dialysis," he said in Filipino.

Go also introduced a measure creating the Emergency Medical Services Systems Council to develop national standards for the provision of emergency medical services to include, among others, the skills and competencies required for emergency medical services personnel and the development of mandatory national EMS treatment protocols to be observed by EMS personnel.

To prevent doubts on whether the Insurance Code will apply to health maintenance organizations, the senator also filed a bill amending the Insurance Code to make HMOs subject to the provisions of the code that are

Sen. Christopher Lawrence Go ManilaTimes.net file photo

not explicitly provided under Executive Order 192, Series of 2015. This will allow stricter supervision over HMOs and thus provide more protection to the public.

To promote the welfare of health care workers, Go once again filed his Barangay Health Workers Compensation and Incentives Bill, which will entitle BHWs to a monthly honorarium of P3,000, other allowances, benefits and privileges, and security of tenure. n

DOH: BA.5 most dominant Omicron...

PAGE 7 the target they’ve set is enough and most feasible until the time that we reached the 100 days of the current administration.

“This is also because we want that our efforts will have a high impact and positive effect for the country’s population,” she added.

The OCTA Research Group earlier said that the possibility of optional wearing of face masks in the country could happen once endemicity is reached and if COVID-19 metrics are in good shape.

No mandatory boosters The DOH on Tuesday brushed off the idea of making the third vaccine or first booster dose against COVID-19 mandatory.

At a press briefing, Vergeire said they do not see the necessity yet of making booster shots mandatory for the public.

“There is a need for such a proposal to be studied carefully.

At this point in time, we don’t see the need to adopt such a strategy,” Vergeire said.

She said previous vaccination

strategies have been successful despite not being mandatory.

“We saw that it was effective for the primary series. Hopefully, we can do this again in the coming weeks for us to be able to improve our booster uptake,” she added, noting that there is no law in the country that permits mandatory vaccination.

For their part, senators on Tuesday prodded Filipinos to get booster shots for COVID-19 but bucked calls to make the follow-up jabs mandatory.

“While we have to respect the right of each Filipino to choose whether to get vaccinated or not, we should also provide them all the right information they need to make the right decision for their safety and the safety of their communities – especially now that science shows the need to get inoculated again with booster shots,” Sen. Bong Go said.

“What should be done is to continue public health education to convince those who have not been vaccinated to get those shots freely for

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their sake, their family and society,” Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in Filipino.

Sen. Loren Legarda strongly urged all those qualified and eligible, based on age and comorbidities, to avail of the booster shots “to ensure our health and that of our workforce and families.”

Sen. Aquilino Pimentel III was not too enthusiastic about the rollout of booster shots, which he warned was costing the country billions of pesos but is not effective against emerging variants.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, however, expressed support to make booster shots mandatory for the adult population, as vaccines have been proven to protect people against the worst effects of COVID infection.

Sen. Nancy Binay said she supports the experts’ recommendation for a third shot but “the DOH must be aggressive with those in the priority groups, intensifying vaccination in isolated and remote areas.” n

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INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E

Major highway named after late Filipina civil rights leader Alice Peña Bulos Highway sign unveiling takes place July 16 DALY CITY — A historic moment for Asians, Filipinos, and Filipino-Americans is coming up with the unveiling of a literal landmark. A significant stretch of the almost 90-kilometer State Highway 35 (Skyline Boulevard) will be named in honor of Filipina and Asian civil rights leader the late Alice Peña Bulos by virtue of a state law, and the sign unveiling will happen 50 years after she moved to California. This is the first time a major highway has been named after a Filipina.

With great magnitude of support from Asians and Filipinos, Chinese American California assemblyman Phil Ting (D), who sponsored the bill to rename the highway after “Tita Alice,” served at the forefront of the private fundraising for the cost of the sign renaming since 2020. It was initially proposed to be installed in 2021 but was postponed due to the pandemic, according to sources.

“Tita Alice,” as she was fondly called by family and friends, was born in Nueva Ecija, Philippines on March 31, 1930. After earning her Bachelor and Master’s degrees from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, she rose to become Chairperson of the UST Department of Sociology – a position she held until her migration to the United States.

She worked as an employment counselor in the U.S. and extensively dealt with labor laws and sociology, making it easier to imagine where her activism and the passion to fight for human and civil rights came from. Coincidentally, her rise to activism happened while her native Philippines was under

Martial Law. As a stalwart of the Democratic Party, she represented California in five Democratic National Conventions, and served the Federal Council on Aging as a commissioner appointed by former President Bill Clinton. She held the position from 1993-2000.

Among her list of achievements include advocating on behalf of workers at the San Francisco International Airport in organizing labor unions. Today, more than 50% of SFO employees are Asians and Filipinos.

Tita Alice also served as founding president of the UST alumni association in the United States, which she helmed from 1987 until her death in 2016. Her memorial service in 2016 was remembered for having bigwigs

such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Governor Gavin Newsom paying their final respects to Tita Alice. She was dubbed by the late San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee as the “Grand Dame of Filipino American Politics” which the media quickly caught on.

Tita Alice was widow of UP Law graduate and fellow activist Atty. Donnie B. Bulos, mother to Elizabeth Bulos-Ramilo, and grandmother to Charity, Charles, and Clarke.

The sign unveiling on July 16 is sponsored by the Daly City Council, a 5-people team, where the Mayor (Dr. Rod Daus-Magbual), Vice Mayor (Ray Buenaventura), and a Councilmember (Juslyn Manalo) are all Filipino-Americans.

(Thomasians USA Release)

K1 – THE “LOVE” VISA: THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Wendel (left) met Allen (center) on Friendster, after he went through a period of loneliness and depression, looking for true love. They soon knew they had found “the one.” Before they officially became a couple, they wanted to see each other in person, to make sure that how they felt online, was the same in real life. So, Wendel flew to the Dominican Republic to meet Allen, where she was working. Seeing each other just strengthened the feelings they had for one another. Shortly after Wendel left the Dominican Republic, he consulted right away with leading Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) in order to bring Allen to the U.S. on a K-1 (fiancée) visa. The couple wanted to make sure they did everything correctly. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 17 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

Love found on Friendster ends up fulfilling a dream, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy THIS week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy has love at the center of it all, as we introduce viewers to Wendel, a lonely and depressed person, until he met Allen on Friendster, a social networking site, and they became boyfriend and girlfriend.

What started as simple chats and jokes, ended up in something serious. Both Wendel and Allen started having strong feelings for each other and they were ready to take their relationship to a more

serious level. Wendel decided to visit Allen in the Dominican Republic where she was working, so they could meet in person.

As soon as they met, sparks flew, hearts pounded, and they both knew that each was THE one for the other.

Shortly after his return from the Dominican Republic, Wendel consulted with the Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, in order to bring her to the U.S. on the K-1 “love” visa. He wanted to

make sure that all the documents were properly handled, as he was excited to start a life together with his one true love, Allen.

Watch this success story featuring the K-1 or fiancée/ fiancé visa on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 17 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

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Rabiya, Pokwang focus on giving joy to people in new show

By Ferdie Villar TIKTOCLOCK hosts Rabiya Mateo and Pokwang are focusing on their work as hosts for their new variety show even as they recover from their own reported heartbreaks.

Pokwang admitted in a recent TV interview that she had split with Lee O’Brian months ago, while Rabiya has not officially confirmed rumors about her breakup with Jeric Gonzales after they unfollowed each other on Instagram and deleted their photos together on the platform.

In an article in PEP.ph, both Pokwang and Rabiya said that they are focusing on giving viewers happiness when they tune in to watch the TV show.

“What we focus on this show is [having] a happy time. We need to show that especially for our viewers who are in their homes,” Pokwang said. “That’s our goal – to be able to give joy to others.”

“Whatever sorrows we are experiencing, we need to leave those behind [for our viewers].

It’s not their fault. They just want to laugh. That’s why we will give

them what they expect of us,” she added.

According to the comedienne, the camaraderie among the hosts made work very light.

“We did not even realize it, but we began to laugh about the things that we had experienced,” she admitted. “In fact, it was seven months ago… (referring to her breakup with Lee presumably), but I am okay now.”

“Now, we’re very blessed.

That’s what we want to show to our viewers – our gratitude for the blessings we have,” Pokwang stated.

For Rabiya, a former Miss Philippines Universe winner, she constantly reminds herself that she should not bring to work whatever issues she is experiencing in her life.

“I need to remind myself that this is a very competitive industry. I do not bring any personal issues weighing me down to work,” she said.

“0ur goal is to make people happy. That’s life… no life is perfect. We all have problems,”

Pokwang admitted in a recent TV interview that she and Lee O’Brian have broken up. Both are Amid breakup rumors, Rabiya is keeping focused on her work as co-host for TiktoClock. co-parenting daughter Malia who is four years old.

Photo from Instagram/@itspokwang27 Photo from Instagram/@rabiyamateo

she continued.

Like her co-host Pokwang, “Just because we have a Rabiya chooses to have a positive problem or two, we shouldn’t disposition despite any problems focus on those,” she added. she may have in her life.

“Here, we have fun and are happy. On or off cam, we all focus on the positives that are happening in our lives,” the beauty queen said. “Just like this job. It’s not easy to get this spot (as co-host), but they (referring to her network, GMA) chose to give this to me because they saw the potential in me.”

As for new romance in their lives, both are just happy to focus on their work for now.

According to Rabiya, her costs Pokwang and Kim Atienza have told her to prioritize her career, especially since she has gotten the TV hosting gig.

“They tell me, ‘Whatever happens to you now, you’re are so blessed even at this age, you have gotten this spot’,” she related. “And I just want to focus on that. I really want to do my very best at Tiktoclock.”

As for Pokwang, she quips, “I Former Mormon missionary Greg Hawkins is one of the co-stars don’t go against God’s wishes. I Director Jose Javier Reyes makes sure that his actors are protected while in Jose Javier Reyes’ Katawang Lupa, an upcoming series from leave it all up to Him. It’s up to shooting intimate scenes in his movies. Photo from Instagram/@direkjoey Vivamax.

Photo from Instagram/@realgreghawkins Him. I will just go and earn a

living right now.” *** Joey Javier Reyes is one of the most respected directors in showbiz.

He is known to protect stars in his movies, especially when they have to film intimate scenes.

In an interview with PEP.ph, the director said making his artists feel secure and respected will make go a long way in making the shoot easy.

“It’s very important to make them feel secure. I am very, very protective of my actors, male or female,” he said.

“The baseline is respect. They are doing a job, they’re doing their job and they are using their instruments, which is their bodies, to achieve their jobs.

So, you give respect to the job by respecting your actors,” he continued.

“I make sure that they never feel exploited when they are made to do those things and I make sure that I explain everything I’m going to ask them to do. Sasabihin ko, ‘This is what you’re doing, this is where the camera will be, this is what will

get covered.’ In other words, it’s not leaving it up to them and then I will just shoot the scene.

It’s not like that,” he further said.

“I don’t work that way because I feel that for them do their best, they have to trust me and I have to trust them as well. And a great part of the trust is respect,” he added.

His latest film, “Katawang Lupa,” will star Greg Hawkins and Janelle Tee. According to the director, he nearly fell off his chair when he learned that Greg was a former Mormon missionary with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.

“I literally fell off my chair and went through the floor,” Reyes said, as he added with a laugh, “I mean, suddenly I really prayed because of the things I’m going to ask him to do [that] can possibly condemn me for all eternity to hell, but I shall blame Greg Hawkins for that.”

Hawkins, who has also been seen in “Pusoy” and “Virgin Forest,” is the original Kuya Escort in the variety program, “It’s Showtime.”

Toshimi wants her customers to feel proud Toshimi’s clothing displays her love of all and confident when wearing her creations. things opulent and whimsical.

Photo by Allen Berame Photo by Dia Mathess-Srinorakoot

Based in both Cebu and Manila, Toshimi’s career shift began when she realized that fashion, not a local salon, typically has an international.

Photo by Lito Caleon/Eventologie

Dingdong’s amazing adventures this new normal

by Jerry

Donato Philstar.com

FROM weekdays to weekends, Dingdong Dantes presents different kinds of entertainment.

He offers viewers general (grounded on surveys) and nature-related information in Family Feud and Amazing Earth, respectively. He also displays his newly-tapped knack for comedy in Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa, opposite wife Marian Rivera.

Dingdong enjoys the work adventure each is presenting to him.

His infotainment show, Amazing Earth, marks its fourth anniversary today before 24 Oras Weekend and commences its four-part anniversary special.

“Parang tingin ko ako yung kauna-unahang audience ng show na ito dahil, I mean binasa ko yung storya, so kumbaga ako yung unang na-i-inform (I feel I’m its first audience or viewer because, I mean when I read the story from the script, I get to process the information before it reaches the audience),” implied Dingdong of the privilege that comes with hosting the GMA 7 show in a press conference done recently and virtually. “(That’s why) I’m amazed every week and every time I do voice-over.

There’s always something new that I can (pick up and) add to what I have already known.”

Amazing Earth followers and its host are always in the learning mode.

Dingdong added that he considers his hosting stint as “no longer work, but as a way of life.” As the information from the Amazing Earth team puts it, he

Dingdong Dantes

will continue to take viewers “to breathtaking destinations” here and abroad, and share “unique stories about nature, animals and local heroes.”

Through the more than 200 episodes and counting it has churned out week after week, Amazing Earth inspires audiences to protect nature.

Viewers, from all ages, get a glimpse of the life and story the amazing heroes or eco-warriors live. Dingdong also gets the front-row seat to see all of this and the behaviors of animals.

They are protective of their species, family, source of food and habitat, as shared by the host.

“Sa ngayon, punong-puno talaga, yung literal na Monday to Saturday meron akong ginagawa,” described Dingdong of how his hands are full these days and he seems to make the most out of it as a sign of appreciation.

“It’s really hard work and (you) always give your best regardless kung konti man o madami ang trabaho, you need to give the same amount of dedication and energy every second you’re on TV. I’m very grateful for the trust that has been given to me to have these programs,” said he.

Dingdong shared the piece of good news that Family Feud gets extended for another season and he is delighted that Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa has afforded him the chance to work again with his wife Marian and find a new family in it.

“I think the expectation from me is nothing but to give my full dedication and full attention to this craft,” added he.

For Amazing Earth, Dingdong’s first celebrity guest is Glaiza de Castro, who will give everyone a tour of her house in Baler and show her Zumba skills, as being joined by other enthusiasts, in Luneta Park. There’s the adventure of YouTuber and content creator Spartacus “Spart” Farnacio in the abandoned battleship El Fraile in Manila Bay. The show has its countdown of the biggest developments at Yellowstone National Park.

The upcoming episodes will also feature Max Collins, Ruru Madrid and Dingdong. Max will recall her life in Boracay, while Ruru goes on a nature adventure with Team Harabas in Occidental Mindoro. Dingdong, for his part, will visit El Nido, Palawan and witness the release of a rescued turtle. Then, viewers will meet the youthful eco-warriors of Bagac, Bataan, led by Fr. Noel Nuguid, and 2022 Miss Universe Charity Pauline Amelinckx, who does her share to advocate nature.

In connection to protecting the environment, Dingdong said, “Tayo naman talaga ang taga-pangalaga ng itong mga magagandang bagay na binigay sa atin ng panginoon (We are the caretakers of these beautiful gifts from the Lord). I think everyone has (his or her own) role in taking care of all of these God-given gifts,” emphasized he and the gifts Dingdong was referring to encompass the fauna and flora that are part and parcel of nature. “Everyone should play a significant part by being responsible citizens,” he added.

Designer in focus:

Toshimi Pacumbala to showcase his opulent and whimsical creations at Asia Pacific Fashion Week 2022

TOSHIMI Pacumbala has always had a passion for fashion.

She had initially worked as a makeup artist and salon owner, but she had always had a special passion for and joy in creating gowns. She struggled to turn her daydreams become reality, one delicate sketch at a time, using just her minimal grasp of fashion and drawing.

When she was given the chance to create a gown for a student a few years back, she made her first venture into the world of fashion design. Over the years, both domestically and internationally, her designs have steadily but thoroughly taken over runways and pageants.

Today, she is a full-fledged member of the Philippines’ biggest and most dominant guild for fashion designers, the Designers Circle Philippines.

A self-taught designer Toshimi is a self-taught designer. But she hopes to someday pursue formal studies in fashion design. Since she primarily creates couture gowns, her favorite aspect of being a designer is that she really enjoys creating the beadwork, as well as sketching and, essentially, hand-sewing everything.

When wearing her creations, Toshimi wants her customers to feel proud and confident. Additionally, she wants people to feel unique among the crowd.

Toshimi’s love for all things opulent Although Toshimi’s clothing displays her love of all things opulent and whimsical, what truly Photo from Instagram/@dongdantes distinguishes her is the complex-

ity he adds to her conception of grandeur and femininity.

Based in both Cebu and Manila, Toshimi’s realization that fashion typically has an international market while salons remain local is what inspired her to take fashion seriously enough to create a career out of it. So it came to be that her salon clients would notice the clothing she had designed and inquire about it. She came to the conclusion that if her customers were interested in her designs, then others might be as well, and as a result, she made the decision to take fashion seriously.

How did her international clientele learn about her designs?

Toshimi used to compete in pageant competitions. She would also be the contestant’s outfit and gown designer in addition to doing their makeup. She began sharing her designs on Facebook before Miss Europe Philippines invited her to serve as its official designer. She flew to Europe in 2019 and created both the formal wear and the traditional garb of the candidates.

Toshimi unveils his latest collections at APFW Toshimi decided to participate in Asia Pacific Fashion Week – an annual international exhibition of fashion collections from fast-rising designers in the Asia Pacific region – because she wanted to show off her talent and since it is a once-in-a- lifetime opportunity.

Additionally, she believes it’s a fantastic chance to network with other designers and potential customers while also expanding the market for her creations in-

Toshimi Pacumbala has always had a passion for fashion.

Photo by Mark Nieto Diaz

ternationally.

Asia Pacific Fashion Week will be held in the following dates and cities: LOS ANGELES 06 AUGUST 2022 | SATURDAY, 5:00 PM HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT (Blossom Ballroom) 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles California 90028 LAS VEGAS 13 AUGUST 2022 | SATURDAY, 4:00 PM DECADES EVENT CENTER Vegas Pointe Plaza, Unit 168, 9175 S Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 NEW JERSEY 20 AUGUST 2022 | SATURDAY, 2:00 & 4:00 PM (during “Fiesta in America”) AMERICAN DREAM Activity Center 1 American Dream Way East Rutherford, New Jersey 07073 (Advertising Supplement)

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11

Tentative map approved for ‘Beckham Heights’ subdivision in Pahrump

by RealtoR

Fely Quitevis-Bateman

A PROJECT inked years ago by a company with the Nye County Commission continues to show signs of development in Pahrump, Nevada.

Recently, a tentative map was approved for a small subdivision that is dubbed “Beckham Heights” which will see a build of 246 homes on approximately 51 acres, according to the Pahrump Valley Times. The proposed map was approved by the commission on a vote of 4-1, per the article.

Adaven Management, the company behind the project, had inked the development agreement known as Mountain Falls South with the commission about 15 years ago that will ultimately build out a total of 5,160 single family dwelling units. Beckham Heights is a tiny portion in that agreement.

Beckham Heights’ location will be off Hafen Ranch Road, just

north of Thousandaire Boulevard.

According to the article, the subdivision density will be about 4.8 homes per acre. Lots in the subdivision will have an average lot size of 5,639 square feet, or about 0.12 acres.

Per the proposed plan, the subdivision will have four unique four plans, with each model offering three unique elevations. Homes will range in size from 2,078 square feet to 3,030 square feet. Three of the models are two-story, while one is a single-story.

The approval of the tentative map is one more step in the process for Beckham Heights to become a reality. However, before any construction can happen in the area, a final subdivision map must be approved and recorded, which will go before the commission at some time in the future.

There is also the question of

which utility will service the water needs in the Adaven Management project. This must be verified with the Nevada Division of Water Services and the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection before a final map can be approved.

It is interesting to note that the commissioners have had to work with the conditions in the agreement, which was approved by a different set of commissioners years ago. This agreement expires in 2029. Although the current commissioners have had apprehensions over the proposed lot sizes and have had to answer to criticism from the public about regarding the continued development of tiny subdivision lots in Pahrump Valley, they are moving forward with proposed developments as covered within the agreement.

It can be recalled that a couple of months ago, Adaven went before the commission to get approval for the construction of a roundabout that on Highway 160 at Manse Road that will change the eastern entrance into the town. That planned roundabout will provide access to the Mountain Falls South project of Adaven.

Over the years, some activities have taken place within the agreement which include donation of a 12-acre site for Floyd Elementary School, donation of

water rights and necessary sewer connection, and coordination with the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints to help establish a church on Manse Road.

Additionally, there has been paving and curb and gutter work done on Manse Road, and installation of a fiber-optic line, which is in line with stipulations in the development agreement that called for certain improvements to be made to Manse Road from the highway to Hafen Ranch Road.

At that time, the estimate for the investments done by Adaven on infrastructure was pegged at $17 million. The roundabout is expected to add another $1.5 million to that figure.

This piece of news continues to enhance the image of Pahrump, which was originally inhabited by the Southern Paiute and mostly dotted with ranch-style holdings over 400 hectares in size. The town has grown into an area that major retailers and real estate developers are taking a look at due to its proximity to Las Vegas.

Broader acceleration for areas like Pahrump is seen by industry analysts in order to address the needs of homebuyers as real estate and property developers eye new regions where they can set up potential projects. That means more housing in the future, and perhaps an exodus of people looking for the right opportunities in newer

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

markets.

Although land prices in Pahrump may not be as low as it was decades ago, it is still an affordable alternative to the rising real estate prices in Las Vegas. A recent slowdown in real estate sales may offer additional benefits to buyers who are looking for the right conditions to buy a A cannabis dispensary, The Source+, is one of the new businesses opening in town along piece of property.

Homestead Road.

Real estate in Pahrump has appreciated about 155% over the last ten years alone, according to latest data available, which puts the unincorporated town in the top 10% nationally for areas whose real estate values have appreciated exponentially. Due to this, many observers see Pahrump as being one of the best long-term investments that people can make in the United States over the past decade and into the future.

Millions of dollars in projects are being infused in infrastructure which will benefit the town in the long run, and many big projects are being developed for the town, including the first horse racing track in the state of Nevada.

While prices are still affordable, Another new business that will open along Homestead Road in Pahrump is a Circle K, which Celebrating the close of escrow in Pahrump are Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (left) and her now is the time to look for opportunities in Pahrump and is currently under construction. client, Dr. Philip Paleracio, who plans to build a medical building in the town.

neighboring communities. Whether you are looking to settle in a new place, finding your own piece of retirement heaven, or just looking to own land or another property as an investment, Pahrump is a great find and I will help look for the best opportunities available in the market. I have been a Realtor since the 1980s and I will use that experience and know-how to help you the right piece of real estate for your budget and needs.

Many of my clients have reaped the benefits of their investments in land and property – you could be one of the many individuals and families who can grow their real estate portfolio and net worth by looking at what’s on the market.

M y c o m p a n y, P r e c i o u s Properties, is a full-service company serving its clientele since 1992 and you can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or by sending me an email at fely@preciousproperties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

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UP students call on PH ConGen in SF

SAN FRANCISCO – Business Administration students from the University of the Philippines Diliman Virata School of Business, namely Jamila Victoria Domingo, Isaiah Kyle Inocencio, Clarizze Faye Mondoy, Nicole Chelsey Pua, and Von Ryan Salosagcol, called on Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer. The group won as Global Champions in the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) 2021 Student Case Competition.

Virata School of Business Secretary Prof. Mikhael Anjelu Magana coached the group for the The Pistahan Parade takes place on Saturday, August 13. It will begin at the Civic Center, proceed up Market Street and end at Yerba Buena competition.

Gardens.

Also present during the call were Consul Vanessa BagoLlona, Deputy Consul General Raquel R. Solano and Vice Consul Adrian Audrey Baccay.

The group poses with Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (standing, extreme left) and Dynamico Space The group visited San CEO JR Calanoc (standing, extreme right) for a photo after the Dynamico Space tour at the Francisco after they attended Philippine Center building.

SAN FRANCISCO – The the Institute of Management Filipino American Arts Accountants (IMA) Accounting Exposition on Monday, July and Finance Conference 11 announced the return to an 2022 held in Austin, Texas on in-person celebration for the June 12-15, 2022. The IMA 29th annual Pistahan Parade competition picked the group and Festival. With the theme of as global winners for solving a “Homecoming: Reconnect with business case of a hypothetical Our Roots and Community,” company. this year’s festivities will take The group was also given place on Saturday, Aug. 13 and a tour of Dynamico Space on Sunday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m. to the 3rd Floor of the Philippine 5 p.m. PDT each day at the Yerba Center. Dynamico is the Buena Gardens in San Francisco.

Philippine Consulate General’s The Pistahan Parade will take The group was given a tour around Dynamico Space, a co-working space, at the 3rd floor of private partner in promoting place on Saturday at 11 a.m. the Philippine Center by JR Calanoc (right). Dynamico is the Philippine Consulate General in Philippine startups and San Francisco’s private partner in promoting Philippine startup ecosystem and bridging the bridging the Philippines and in the heart of downtown San Philippines and Silicon Valley.

Francisco.

Silicon Valley. (PCGSF Release) To participate as a sponsor, exhibitor, performing artist, pavilion presenter, volunteer, and parade contingent, visit Pistahan.net.

The Pistahan Parade and Festival is the largest celebration of Filipino art, culture, dance, food, and music in the U.S. For the third year in a row, global audiences will be able livestream the two-day event via Kumu, Facebook Live, and YouTube Live.

The 29th Pistahan Parade kicks off the festival weekend on Saturday, Aug. 13, and is The 29th Pistahan Parade and Festival poster features Baybayin fine art calligraphy from a colorful display of Filipino featured artist Taipan Lucero of Manila.

Photos courtesy of FAAE community pride and diversity, featuring festive floats, Dance, Health, Innovation, and – which draws influence from cultural dance groups, musical Sports. The Festival supports elements of Filipino culture, such performances, and community local artisans, food vendors, as our ancestors’ royal garbs and organizations.

The Parade entrepreneurs, and more, and jewelry, the Maranao’s Okir, and Photo above shows UP Business Administration students and Virata School of Business Secretary Prof. Mikhael Anjelu (7th from left) with will begin at the Civic Center, provides opportunities for guests the Pintados – has been featured Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer (6th from left), Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona (extreme left), Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano (2nd from left), Vice Consul Adrian Audrey Baccay (extreme right).

Photos courtesy of San Francisco PCG proceed up Market Street, and to discover Philippine history, by mainstream outlets on print, heritage, and traditions. end at Yerba Buena Gardens. radio, television, and new media The 29th Pistahan Parade both in the Philippines and The free two-day outdoor event will feature cultural and Festival’s featured artist abroad. Lucero and numerous performances, world-class is Manila’s Taipan Lucero. His local artists will be showcased at – Baybayin this year’s Festival. entertainment, food trucks, CalligraFilipino artisan merchandise, and fine art calligraphy – is the A full lineup of events and hands-on and authentic centerpiece of this year’s activities for the 29th Pistahan cultural experiences in six Pistahan Parade and Festival Parade and Festival will be SAN FRANCISCO — On everything in my power to restore have made a better selection in a themed pavilions: Art, Culinary, poster. Lucero’s CalligraFilipino announced at a later date.

Friday, July 8, Brooke Jenkins accountability and consequences DA than Brooke Jenkins. Brooke The Filipino American Arts was sworn in as San Francisco’s to San Francisco’s criminal as a prosecutor can be described Exposition (FAAE) is a vital part of new District Attorney (DA) in the justice system while also moving as courageous, professional, the rich tapestry of cultures and North Light Court of City Hall. forward with implementing strong, and empathetic, but more ethnic communities of the San Jenkins, who was appointed progressive reforms.” importantly, Brooke as a human Francisco Bay Area through its by Mayor London N. Breed to Jenkins served as an Assistant being can be described as loving, promotion of Filipino American replace the former DA following DA in the San Francisco DA’s fair, trustworthy and loyal. I am art, music, film, and dance. FAAE the recall election on June 7, Office from 2014 to 2021, where so excited to call Brooke the celebrates its ancestral heritage 2022, will have to run for election she worked her way up, serving next District Attorney of San and contemporary traditions, this November. DA Jenkins was in the Misdemeanor and Felonies Francisco.” broadening awareness and sworn in by Judge Samuel Feng, Units before working as the “I look forward to having deepening the understanding of who is the presiding judge of the office’s Hate Crimes Prosecutor. Brooke serve as our community Filipino history, achievements, San Francisco Superior Court. She was later promoted to the as the next District Attorney, and culture. Founded in 1994, Mayor Breed and DA Jenkins Sexual Assault Unit and eventually but this work is not about just FAAE is a grassroots, nonprofit were joined by members of her the Homicide Unit. Jenkins focusing on one neighborhood, organization that contributes family, community advocates, law resigned from the San Francisco it’s about all of San Francisco,” to the artistic and cultural professionals, and civic leaders.

DA’s Office in October 2021 as a said Commissioner Larry Yee. “I pride of the Filipino American “I am proud that today we result of mounting dissatisfaction want to thank Mayor Breed for community and strives to be a swore in Brooke Jenkins as with the direction of the office. this appointment and can’t wait meaningful community tradition San Francisco’s new District At the time of her departure, she to start working with our new among the many great ethnic Attorney,” said Mayor Breed. “I prosecuted over 25 criminal jury DA.” institutions of San Francisco. hear from residents every day that trials and completed more than After an extensive and lengthy Follow FAAE at www.pistahan. they are frustrated with the state 100 preliminary hearings. process that included meetings net and on Facebook, Instagram, of accountability in our city and At the swearing in ceremony, with community members, and Twitter (pistahanSF). have real concerns about feeling members of the community business owners and attorneys, The Kariktan Dance Company has performed at the annual Pistahan event for many years.

(Advertising Supplement) safe, but they also don’t want us spoke about their support for the Jenkins was chosen by Mayor to move back on the progress new District Attorney, including Breed for her prosecutorial and we have made reforming our Rani Singh, a former prosecutor personal experience that has criminal justice system. I will do in the District Attorney’s Office equipped her to best understand all that I can to work with our and current Attorney for the San both sides of the criminal justice new District Attorney to ensure Francisco Sheriff’s Department, system. Jenkins, who is African that we can restore faith in the and Police Commissioner Larry American and Latina, and a Bay system while staying true to the Yee, who has been a strong Area native, received her J.D. Chinese community leader for from the University of Chicago promises we have made.”

“As the District Attorney in decades.

Law School and B.A. from UC “It has been an honor, privilege, Berkeley. She will serve until San Francisco, I am humbled and honored to serve,” said District and blessing to be a mentor November, when she will then Attorney Brooke Jenkins. “I have to Brooke Jenkins,” said Rani run during a special election seen firsthand the imbalances Singh. “When Mayor Breed said which will decide who will and disproportionate impacts the City of San Francisco believes complete Boudin’s term through of our criminal justice system. in accountability, but also giving 2023. (SF Mayor’s Office As District Attorney, I will do second chances, she could not Release)

FAAE announces return to in-person celebration for 29th Pistahan Parade and Festival

Brooke Jenkins sworn in as SF District Attorney Jenkins, who brings over 15 years of experience as an attorney, will become San Francisco’s first Latina District Attorney

Young Filipino student receives US President’s award for academic excellence

FIL-AM COMMUNITY IN WEST CONTRA COSTA COUNTY CELEBRATES PH INDEPENDENCE DAY. The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Vice Consul Adrian Baccay and Cultural Officer Kristine Quiboloy, joined the annual Philippine Independence Day celebration and fair of the Filipino American Community on June 25, 2022 at the United Methodist Church in Pinole, California. Organized by the Philippine Cultural and Historical Association, the event is the only Philippine Independence Day celebration held in west Contra Costa County, and featured Filipino cultural dances, a Balintawak arnis demonstration, and stalls featuring authentic Filipino cuisine. In his remarks during the festivities, Vice Consul Baccay encouraged the Filipino and Filipino American Community to remain engaged and active “especially in efforts that will accelerate economic progress back home… and in endeavors that will further raise the profile of the Philippines and Filipinos in the United States.” Photos above show (left) Vice Consul Baccay while addressing event attendees; (top right) a cultural performance at the event; (bottom right) members of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco at a booth in the fair.

Photos courtesty of San Francisco PCG

Fernando Tarriela Valderrama

FERNANDO Tarriela Valderrama was given the Gold President's Honor Roll Award in May 2022 for Outstanding Academic Excellence.

Conferred by the President’s Education Awards Program in the United States, this award is the highest recognition given to graduating elementary, middle, and high school students for their outstanding efforts to meet challenging standards of excellence.

Valderrama, an incoming ninth grader at Harvest Christian Academy in Guam, is part of the school’s National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) that encourages high academics along with strong character and leadership. His extra-curricular activities also include taking Orchestral classes and being part of the Running Club/Cross Country. Outside of school, Valderrama is a grey and white belter in Jiu-Jitsu and goes to CrossFit. His parents are Tom and Tricia Valderrama. His maternal grandmother is Philippine National Bank’s first Chairwoman Flor Gozon Tarriela, sister of GMA Network Chairman and CEO Felipe L. Gozon.

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13

Grand opening of Sky River Casino coming soon!

Come and experience dining on a whole new level

SKY River Casino is slated for its grand opening this fall!

In addition to bringing a new gaming destination to Northern California, it also offers 17 global eateries that will bring your Taste to a Whole New Level.

The current lineup of food offerings at Sky River Casino features three premier restaurants, including Bay Area’s renowned Chinese restaurant – Dragon Beaux. With the essence of Guangdong and Hong Kong food culture, Dragon Beaux will open at the end of this year just shortly after the casino’s grand opening. Offering a variety of authentic Guangdong and Hong Kong delicacies ranging from hotpot to dim sum, Asian beer and more… it’ll be a memorable culinary experience for guests to savor.

In the upscale SR Prime Steakhouse, guests can enjoy the fine-dining and romantic ambience of the steakhouse while tasting a delicious piece of juicy, tender steak. It will surely satisfy the tastebuds of a food enthusiast.

At the 32 Brews Street Gastropub, you can discover a wide range of specialty craft beers, making it a great place to relax and have a good time.

In addition, The Market is a food plaza gathering delicacies from around the world, bringing guests an innovative dining experience. The Market features Koi Palace Express, a well-known Chinese restaurant in the Bay Area that serves a variety of Asian-inspired noodle dishes; Fukuro by Kru that offers authentic Japanese cuisine and exquisite sushi; Ocean that

A 3D rendering of Dragon Beaux restaurant at Sky River Casino.

Above, left and right: Dragon Beaux offers authentic Guangdong and Hong Kong delicacies.

The Market houses global eateries that will give customers an innovative dining experience. Photos above show (clockwise, from top left) A noodle dish from Koi Palace; a 3D rendering of Fukuro by Kru; a roasted chicken dish from Roli Roti; a 3D rendering of Chickie and Tony’s; and a 3D rendering of Ocean which serves oysters and seafood dishes.

All photos courtesy of iGraphix

serves seasonal oysters and seafood dishes; Aurelia’s that provides authentic Mexican food; and Sky River Java, Chickie and Tony's, Hot Chicken, Butcher's Burger, Roli Roti, Indulge, Global Eats, Upper Barrel, River Bar and Rock Bar, which offer guests the hottest dining attraction of culinary delights.

A 3D rendering of SR Prime Sreakhouse inside Sky River Casino.

Sky River Casino is a joint venture by the Native American tribe Wilton Rancheria in Sacramento and the well-known Boyd Gaming Corporation headquartered in Las Vegas.

Boyd Gaming is a diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states nationwide, offering its guests an outstanding gaming experience, delivered with unwavering attention to customer service. Sky River Casino offers 2,000 of the most popular slot machines, 80 table Artist concept of 32 Brews Street Gastropub in Sky River Casino. games, poker rooms, high-limit VIP rooms, and 17 global eateries and a gourmet food plaza. Right off Highway 99, Sky River Casino is only a 15-minute drive from Sacramento and a little over an hour drive from downtown San Francisco and Oakland. For more information, please visit www.skyriver.com or follow Sky River Casino on Facebook or Instagram. Sky River Casino is located at 1 Sky River Parkway, Elk Grove, CA 95757.

(Advertising Supplement)

Enjoy a wide array of specialty craft beers at 32 Brews Street Gastropub.

A juicy, tender piece of steak awaits diners at SR Prime Steakhouse.

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