071923 - Los Angeles Midweek Edition

"well-run," allaying lingering concerns that it might

be prone to abuse and corruption. Marcos on Tuesday, July 18 signed into law Republic Act (RA) 11954, or the "Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) Act of 2023," a pet measure of the administration that is "designed to drive economic development" in

the country.

In his speech after the signing of the law in Malacañang, the president described the fund as an "extremely important measure" as the government moves to strengthen the economy in a postpandemic world.

"Just as we are recovering from the adverse effects of the pandemic, we are now ready to enter a new age of sustainable progress, robust stability and broad-based empowerment," Marcos said.

"We now have an available fund that will provide us the seed money for investments and to attract other foreign investments, and for us to be able to participate in those operations, in those investments without additional borrowings," he added.

The MIF is a sovereign wealth fund that will be used to invest in

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — President Marcos on Monday, July 17 described his second State of the Nation Address (SONA) that will be delivered on July 24 as “very simple,” but would explain to the people the significant progress his administration has achieved in his first year in office.

pronouncements, on the many words we said, if these were really significant or mere lip service,” he said partly in Filipino.?“That’s what I want to explain to the people: that we have made significant progress. We can see the difference now, not only in terms of how the systems work, how the government works; it is also how we are seen or judged in the international community. That’s equally important,” he added.

worried about writing the speech.”

EXTREME heat poses the greatest natural risk to human health. These days, there’s plenty of it, and more is on the way.

“This is not your grandmother’s summer,” Marta Segura, chief heat officer and director of climate emergency mobilization for the city of Los Angeles, warned at a July 13 press briefing, the first of three planned to discuss the health risks heat poses to Californians and the resources being marshaled to combat it.

The briefing, hosted by Ethnic Media Services and California’s Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, came the week after Planet Earth recorded highest-yet daily average temperatures on four consecutive days, from July 3-6.

Speaking to reporters after attending the signing of a memorandum of agreement on the nationwide launch of Kadiwa ng Pangulo program here, Marcos disclosed that he has yet to finish writing his speech.

“It’s really very simple. It’s just a performance report for Filipinos to see – on the many

The Chief Executive revealed that he would also present projects that are ongoing and those already in the pipeline. Asked what he would be wearing in his SONA, Marcos responded in mixed Filipino and English: “I haven’t thought about what to wear. We’ve been

The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council, which Marcos chairs, on July 5 approved 20 measures to be prioritized and passed within the year. Among these measures are the proposed amendments to the Build-Operate-Transfer Law or the Public-Private Partnership Act, National Disease Prevention Management Authority, Internet Transactions Act/E-Commerce Law, Health Emergency Auxiliary Reinforcement Team or HEART Act (formerly Medical Reserve Corps), Virology Institute of the Philippines, Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and National Service Training Program, Revitalizing the Salt  PAGE 4

A RECENT UCLA study found that bringing green space in LA County to median levels could add up to 908,800 years of collective life expectancy to residents in under-resourced communities.

The peer-reviewed study, published in Environment International, is the first in the U.S. to combine census tract life expectancy data with neighborhood vegetation data, providing Southern California policymakers with a model of reducing health inequality by greening low-income neighborhoods.

Researchers found that bringing greenery to median levels in each census tract would bring between 570,300 and 908,800 years of collective life expectancy to disadvantaged residents. Greening wealthy Westside neighborhoods was not found to significantly affect expectancy after controlling for variables like smoking, obesity and physical inactivity.

MANILA — The International Criminal Court can resume its investigation into possible crimes against humanity allegedly committed during former President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s bloody “war on drugs”, marking a crucial step toward justice for the victims and their families.

The judges in the ICC appeals chamber rejected on Tuesday, July 18 the appeal of the Philippine government against the PreTrial Chamber’s authorization to resume the investigation into the drug killings when Duterte was president and, earlier, Davao City mayor.

“It is rejected by the appeals chamber

by majority and the impugned decision is therefore confirmed,” Presiding Judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut said. Three out of five ICC judges rejected the appeal.

According to Brichambaut, the decision challenged by the Philippine government is not a decision on jurisdiction, and the issue of the effect of the country’s withdrawal on the court’s jurisdiction was “neither properly raised nor adequately ventilated” before the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber.

Majority of the ICC judges also found that the Philippines has failed to demonstrate the errors of the pre-trial chamber.

In January, the court authorized the inquiry, noting the government’s initiative to reexamine drug war killings did “not

 PAGE 4

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos

Jr. on Tuesday, July 18 said he was aware of the meeting that transpired between former president Rodrigo Duterte and Chinese President Xi Jinping and expressed hope his predecessor would help establish a new line of communication for the resolution of outstanding issues between the two countries.

Speaking at the side of the kickoff of the government's Food Stamp Program (FSP) in Tondo, Manila, Marcos insisted that Duterte did not need his

permission to go to Beijing as the meeting is "between friends," but would welcome any input from the former leader in the coming days.

"I knew that he was going to go there. They are friends, they know each other. So, I hope they were able to talk about issues we are facing now like shadowing and other things. All of these things that we are seeing now, I hope they were able to talk about it so we could achieve progress. Because that's what we are after, for talks to continue," he told reporters in Filipino, referring to the recent sighting of dozens

MANILA — Senate President Juan Miguel

Zubiri has revealed that a rider question in the most recent Pulse Asia survey shows that Filipinos are overwhelmingly in support of partnering with the U.S. in order to confront territorial disputes with China over the West Philippine Sea.

Respondents came out 75 percent in favor and 14 percent not in favor, to the question: “Are you in favor or not in favor of strengthening the military ties between the United States and the Philippines amid

security tensions in the West Philippine Sea?”

The rest of the respondents marked themselves as not having enough knowledge to form an opinion (two percent) or “can’t say” (eight percent).

Amid criticisms regarding the participation of the U.S. military in the West Philippine Sea, which has translated to training and regular flights within Philippine territory, this proves that a majority of Filipinos are in fact welcome to receiving support from the U.S. military.

“There’s a huge disparity,” said Zubiri of

 PAGE 2

Marcos signs Maharlika...

a wide range of assets, including foreign currencies, fixed-income instruments, domestic and foreign corporate bonds, commercial real estate, and infrastructure projects.

Under the law, the initial capital will come from the investible funds of the Land Bank of the Philippines, the Development Bank of the Philippines, declared dividends of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and other sources.

"For the first time in the history of the Philippines, we now have a sovereign wealth fund designed to drive economic development," Marcos said.

"Through the fund, we will leverage on a small fraction of the considerable but underutilized investable funds of the government and stimulate the economy without the disadvantage of adding additional fiscal and debt burdens," he added.

The president said the key to the success of the Maharlika fund is management, adding that the country has "the best economic managers both in government and in the private sector that we can count on to run this fund properly."

This, he added, was why he decided to remove himself and

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the Finance chief from the board so as to not taint it with political decisions.

"Because inevitably, if you put me or the secretary of finance in a decision-making loop, those decisions will be colored by political considerations, and that must not be the case," Marcos said. "Let us make sure that the fund is well-run. Let us make sure that these [people who will run it] are professionals. Let us make sure that decisions that are being made for the fund are not political decisions, that they are financial decisions because that is what the fund is."

The president added that there are many opportunities that "we cannot allow to slip by, thus the MIF has to be put up."

He said the fund is also a "crucial undertaking" that will support the government's overall goal of 6.5 to 8 percent gross domestic product growth (GDP) in the medium term.

"And through the fund, we will accelerate the implementation of the 194 National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board-approved flagship infra[structure] projects," Marcos said.

"I assure you that the fund will be managed by highly competent personnel with a good track record and outstanding integrity," he added.

Unlike other governmentowned or -controlled corporations, the MIF will be able to maximize government assets through its investments in projects that generate bigger returns.

The law will establish the Maharlika Investment Corp. (MIC), which will act as the "sole vehicle for the purpose of mobilizing and utilizing the MIF for investments in transactions in order to generate optimal returns on investments."

A document released by Malacañang showed that the MIC, which is in charge of mobilizing the MIF, will be composed of the Finance secretary, who will serve as the chairman; presidents of the Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines; two regular directors; and three independent directors from the private sector.

In a chance interview in Malacañang on Tuesday, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno said he would be part of the board of

directors that will oversee the utilization of the MIF.

He said the MIF will help boost the Philippines' GDP growth as the fund is expected to generate high returns. It will also provide additional funding for the government's priority infrastructure projects, estimated to cost around P8 trillion.

"The president is saying we have many plans. The priority [are] the 194 big projects approved by the NEDA, right? They need funding. It's around, if I remember correctly, P8 trillion," Diokno said.

"So what will happen is that we will have additional sources of funding for all these projects. Some of those projects will be funded through the budget, some through official development assistance, and some through public-private partnerships, about one-third," he added.

Diokno said the MIF can be used to finance the remaining twothirds of the priority infrastructure projects. This will make it easier for the government to implement the projects and boost GDP growth.

"Because if we wait for the usual cases, our capabilities will be limited. With fewer projects, our economy won't be as vibrant," Diokno said.

NEDA Director-General and Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said that the Maharlika Fund could be useful in investing in various areas.

"The economic team has always emphasized the importance of enhancing the platforms that we have for engaging with the private sector and promoting investments in strategic areas. The MIF will help us achieve this objective," Balisacan said.

To increase the starting capital of P125 billion in government securities, he said the MIF can generate greater economic advantages by attracting additional investments and completely fulfilling its authorized capital stock of P500 billion.

The NEDA chief added that the fund has the option to invest in certain projects from the "Build Better More" program, including the 194 Infrastructure flagship projects. (With Nina Myka Pauline Arceo, Javier Joe Ismael, Bernadette E. Tamayo and Reina Tolentino)

‘Duterte-Xi talks meeting between...

of Chinese vessels near Iroquois Reef, south of oil- and gas-rich Recto Bank in the West Philippine Sea.

The Chief Executive insisted it doesn't matter who initiates talks between the two claimants of the disputed waterway, as he welcomes "any new lines of communication".

"If that is PRRD (President Rodrigo Roa Duterte), then good. It's not important to me who that will be. As long as there will be someone who can help. I am sure that he will be able to tell us what happened during their conversation and see how that affects us," he said.

The Philippines recently marked the seventh anniversary

of the international arbitral ruling trashing China's expansive claims over the South China Sea based on its nine-dash line.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila, to this day, refuses to recognize the decision, calling it a "violation of the Unclos (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and general international law" and is"illegal, null, and void." g

’Majority of Pinoys want US-PH military...

the data, during an interview with dzBB on Sunday. “This means our countrymen are getting angry, they are tired of China’s incursions here, especially in Reed Bank which is very near El Nido, Coron.”

This survey came out just as the Philippines celebrates the seventh year of the landmark 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which invalidated China’s claims to historic rights within the “nine-dash line” and effectively recognized the rights of the Philippines to the West Philippine Sea as falling within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Despite this ruling, China has continued to forcefully enter the

Philippines’ EEZ.

The Senate is expected to soon approve a resolution urging the administration to bring the issue

of the West Philippine Sea back to the United Nations General Assembly, amid continued aggression from China. g

Philippine and US Marines take positions in trenches during a simulated beach attack, part of a joint coastal defense live-fire exercise in Rizal, Palawan over the weekend.

Photo from the Philippine Marine Corps

The heat is on: California ramps up...

Extreme heat can kill

Two days before, OCPSC had launched a $20 million “Heat Ready California” campaign to help people stay safe from the deadly effects of extreme heat.

Turner spoke of how urban development has created “heat islands” where asphalt predominates over shade and green space.

Something as simple as a shade structure, she said — strategically placed tree plantings, awnings, or bus shelters — can reduce people’s body heat temperatures by tens of degrees.

But currently, she said, “most Californians are effectively living in shade deserts.”

Less asphalt, more shade

It gets worse according to where you live. For example, research conducted in Pacoima, in Los Angeles’ San Fernando

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Valley, found that less than 10% of the space at the schools provided shade.

“Play yards need less asphalt and more shade,” she said.

Other research has shown that some types of dwellings, such as mobile homes, even when air-conditioned, can’t always be sufficiently cooled.

She recommended “shade audits” for those communities that haven’t done them yet, as well as rental unit regulation not just for sufficient protection against cold, but for heat as well. And then, she mentioned, 40% of heat-related deaths currently are among those with no housing at all.

UCLA’s Luskin Center for Innovation, where she works, has published two extensive reports, Identifying and Addressing Heat Inequities in the City of Los Angeles, and Turning Down the Heat that detail disparities across Los Angeles’s communities that affect hot weather health, and recommendations for improvements.

Stay cool

“Of all the natural disasters, heat is the main killer,” Abascal said. “It’s very, very important for everyone to understand the dangers of heat.”

“Stay cool,” she said. For those who can’t afford to run their home air conditioning or don’t have any, she recommended libraries, malls or cooling centers. A list of these and other resources is available by county at the “Heat Ready California” website.

Secondly: “Stay hydrated!”

Especially high-risk populations such as those with disabilities, the young, the old, and pregnant women.

But “even somebody that’s healthy can suffer from heat stroke,” she said. Dizziness, leg cramps, disorientation are three warning signs.

Shade structures

Neighborhoods that have been short-changed in access to nearby public parks and green spaces that might offer shade, or whose residents have to travel farther to get health care, also have higher incidence of heat-related health problems.

“Los Angeles wants to take the lead by investing in those areas that have been historically neglected,” Segura said. As part of the “Heat Relief for L.A.” campaign, she said, all 73 libraries will be open, along with

10 cooling centers. Among the efforts she advocated are accelerating current plans to add shade structures to bus stops in communities that rely on public transit and finding ways to make air conditioning more affordable to low-income users.

Communities already impacted by pollution, she noted, are also additionally vulnerable, because “heat exacerbates pollution.”

Workers, she said, should be aware of their rights to take breaks and ensure they stay hydrated.

Workers’ rights

Sandra Young also addressed the circumstances of agricultural workers, acknowledging that most are undocumented and therefore less likely to challenge employers about substandard working conditions.

Often, even when water is available, it’s too far from where the workers are to make it easily accessible without risking heat exhaustion and lost earnings.

She called for on-site advocacy for adequate working conditions and a health care system that goes beyond being service providers to being advocates for their clients.

“Our health care system still has a long way to go to meet the needs of the farmworker community,” she said.

Asian American elders are vulnerable

Dr. Kimberly Chang addressed some issues for AAPI communities in Oakland, where she works, and in the Central Valley, where in a single decade there was a 53% increase in heatrelated emergency department visits and hundreds of deaths.

In Oakland, despite the relatively temperate climate, her clients too often live in crowded apartments, without elevators. Older adults, who typically have lost some of their innate ability to regulate their body temperatures, need to be mindful of what they’re wearing – Bay Area residents often dress in layers to protect them from cold – and wear more white instead of black, she said.

In general, looser, lightweight clothing, and deploying fans are also simple but effective strategies, she said.

“People don’t like to be told what to do,” Segura said, in closing. But, “prepare in advance. It’s a long-term game.” (Mark Hedin/Ethnic Media Services)

Probe into Duterte ‘drug war’ resumes...

PAGE 1

amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps.”

Step forward

Families of drug war victims and human rights groups welcomed the latest move of The Hague-based tribunal.

Bryony Lau, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said the ruling of the ICC judges “marks the next step toward justice for victims of ‘drug war’ killings and their families.”

The Marcos administration should back up its stated commitment to human rights and the fight against impunity by following through on its international legal obligation to cooperate with the court’s investigation,” Lau said.

Families of victims of “drug war” killings hope the decision of the court’s appeals chamber moves them closer to justice.

“They look forward to the ICC indicting the 'most responsible': the masterminds and administrators of a cruel and criminal government policy that targeted killing thousands of poor people,” the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers and the Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a coalition of individuals whose loved ones were killed during the anti-drug campaign.

Officially, 6,252 people were killed in Duterte's "war on drugs." But rights groups say that up to 30,000 may have been killed—some innocent victims— and that corruption was rife among security forces that acted with impunity.

What happens next?

The judges confirmed the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber’s earlier decision, allowing Prosecutor

Karim Khan to continue with his investigation.

Depending on evidence Khan would be able to gather during his probe, he can seek the issuance of arrest warrants or summonses, possibly against the campaign’s chief architects, Duterte and his former police chief, now Sen. Ronald dela Rosa.

Human Rights Watch said the timeline for issuing arrest warrants or summonses to appear in an investigation can vary significantly—ranging from just under two months to over six years.

Once suspects appear before the court, the next step is pretrial proceedings known as “confirmation of charges.”

During these proceedings, ICC judges evaluate the evidence at hand to determine whether there are “substantial grounds” to believe the suspects are responsible for the crimes charged in the indictment.

If a charge or charges are confirmed, a trial date is scheduled.

The ICC faces significant hurdles in securing arrests as it lacks its own police force, and must rely on the cooperation of states and the international community to assist in arrests.

In this particular case, the prospect of anyone being arrested is unlikely as President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. had said he would not cooperate with the ICC. He had called the investigation an interference and attack on the country’s sovereignty.

Marcos’ justice secretary, Jesus Crispin Remulla, said on the eve of the ICC ruling that they will not implement a warrant should

it be issued by the international tribunal.

Although the Philippines no longer recognizes the ICC after pulling out of the court in 2019, the tribunal still has jurisdiction over crimes committed while the country was a state party.

No more appeal

Following this dismissal, the Philippines no longer has any recourse for further appeal.

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra earlier said the Philippine government “will continue to focus on its own investigation and prosecution” of alleged “drug war” abuses regardless of the outcome of its appeal.

Guevarra, who was justice secretary during the Duterte administration, filed a notice of appeal on February 3 and asked the ICC to reverse the decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber to allow Khan to pursue the investigation. The government said it “disagrees with, and hereby rejects” the conclusions made by the pre-trial chamber in its earlier ruling.

Set up in 2002 to probe the world’s worst crimes, the ICC is a “court of last resort” and steps in and exercises jurisdiction only if countries are unwilling or unable to prosecute offenders.

The Philippine government insists that local courts are functioning well and can exercise jurisdiction over any complaints.

There were only two convictions of law enforcers involved in the "drug war"— the murder of 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos and in the case of 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz and 14-year-old Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman. g

Marcos on SONA: We have made significant...

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Industry, Valuation Reform, E-Government/E-Governance and Ease of Paying Taxes.

Also targeted to be passed later this year are the proposed National Government Rightsizing Program, Unified System of Separation/Retirement and Pension of Military and Uniformed Personnel, Local Government Unit Income Classification, Waste-to-Energy Act, New Philippine Passport Act, Magna Carta for Filipino Seafarers, National Employment Action Plan, amendments to the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas-endorsed Bank Deposit Secrecy and Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act.

Paul Soriano out as SONA director

The House of Representatives is “95 percent” prepared for Marcos’ second SONA, even if respected film director Paul Soriano – a nephew-in-law of the President – will no longer direct the event.

House secretary-general Reginald Velasco told Congress reporters during the walkthrough om July 17 that the in-house Radio Television Malacañang (RTVM) will take over managing the presidential address.

The House official refused to speculate, though, the reason or reasons behind the removal of Soriano, a nephew of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, explaining it’s really the prerogative of the Office of the President (OP) and the Presidential Communications Office.

SONA invitations for the VIPs have been sent, and about 90 percent will be attending.

“There are those who can’t make it for health reasons, that’s why they cannot attend – from the diplomatic corps, Cabinet, the OP. But we have already sent all the invitations, and we are of course waiting for the submission of the final guest list,” he said.

Vice President and Education

Secretary Sara Duterte has confirmed her attendance, and so has former presidents Joseph Estrada and Gloria MacapagalArroyo, now the House deputy speaker after she was elected last year as representative of Pampanga’s second district.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte has yet to confirm his attendance.

“All preparations have already been done, physical arrangements, security and we are confident that by Friday, everything will be all set because we will have a rehearsal,” Velasco said.

The entire 16-hectare premises of the Batasang Pambansa complex will be locked down starting July 20 until July 23, the day before Marcos delivers his second SONA and when Congress also resumes session.

As a matter of protocol, as in every SONA, the Presidential Security Group takes over the security usually supervised by the House’s in-house Legislative Security Bureau.

Contra-SONA

A week before Marcos delivers his second SONA, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros delivered her virtual a la contraSONA by pointing out a number of issues and concerns that need immediate and urgent action of

the present administration.

During the Kapihan sa Senado forum on Monday, Hontiveros emphasized that the President still has five more years to address the country’s problems, as she noted that his upcoming SONA should be centered around the most vulnerable sectors – the poor, the jobless, women and children.

“It seems that there was no plan for these sectors in the previous SONA, so by Monday, there should be,” the senator said in English and Filipino in her opening statement.

“The President has five more years. He was lucky in his first year because even though we have almost no exports or foreign investments, the income of our OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and BPO (business process outsourcing) workers is always there, and our tax is still there to fund infrastructure programs and tourism has become lively again after we were locked up in the house of the pandemic. In the next two years, the economy will continue to grow slightly because Filipinos still have spending money,” she added.

During the forum, Hontiveros stressed that “unity was nothing but a hollow facade” during the first year of Marcos’ presidency. g

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his 2022 State of the Nation Address. Malacañang file photo

More parks, trees may add nearly 1 million...

Keep cool, plant trees

For some, however, the findings of this study are not new: TreePeople, a nonprofit which describes itself as “the largest environmental movement headquartered in Southern California,” has been researching, restoring, and replanting urban greenery in environmentally stressed LA County areas for 50 years.

Eileen Garcia, Director of Community Forestry at TreePeople, said that since 1973, over three million volunteers have planted trees and seen firsthand how a community’s green inequality worsens environmental and public health conditions like pollution and heat-related illness.

The UCLA study confirmed that trees were the most effective component of urban forestation when it came to heat mitigation, keeping ground-level temperatures about 2 degrees Fahrenheit cooler with each 10% of canopy cover. Shrubs cooled by 0.7 Fahrenheit with each 10% of cover.

In LA County, which spans 10 million people across 4,000 square miles, two-thirds of the Black and Latino population lives in areas with disproportionately less green vegetation — namely east LA, south LA, and far north areas.

The UCLA study found that merely expanding park access to LA County medians would add 164,700 years of life expectancy to the region. Latino and Black residents would receive about 72%, or 118,000 of these years.

Though TreePeople mostly focuses its efforts on droughttolerant street tree species like crepe myrtle and gold medallion, parks — like Coldwater Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains, where the organization is based — offer a plantable space for larger native species, like oaks.

Concrete jungle

The areas of LA most needing reforestation, however, are not only the lowest in life expectancy, but also the least plantable. In a city where over half the surfaces are dark concrete or asphalt, which absorbs up to 90% of solar radiation, this inequality is deadly. While the study found that life expectancy in financially and verdantly green Beverly Hills is as high as 90, the median in south LA communities less than 15 miles away is 77.

Many of these communities “suffer shade inequity presented

by low tree canopy coverage due to the fact that they’re flanked by freeways and sit in a basin,” explained Garcia. “Where it’s heavily polluted, it’s even harder to plant around a major roadway or warehouse.”

“Furthermore,” she added, researchers looking to raise life expectancy through urban greening sometimes overlook the fact that “mountains are the lungs of our city. Reforestation efforts must extend to burn areas around LA.”

Addressing air quality issues

In light of ever-worsening wildfire seasons, this focus is especially pertinent. The Air Quality Life Index, an annual report from the University of Chicago, found last June that particulate air pollution — including wildfire smoke, which accounts for up to half of all fine-particle pollution in the Western U.S. — removes over two years from the global average life expectancy (more than cigarettes, alcohol, or terrorism).

That same report found that 29 of the 30 counties with the worst particulate pollution in 2020 were in California, including LA.

To counter this, TreePeople obtained a grant through CalFIRE in 2020 to plant and maintain 1,000 trees in the southern city of Lynwood (next to Watts, where the organization also planted 700 trees in 2021). The funding allowed volunteers to utilize Light Detection and Ranging technology, scanning the city with low-flying aircraft to determine ideal tree topography.

Alongside this technology, feedback from Lynwood community allowed volunteers to focus planting in high-need areas, not only creating a barrier against pollution near freeways, but also creating shaded paths to schools and city facilities. The response to this was so positive that, even

as the maintenance phase for this project continues, TreePeople is currently seeking grants to fund more trees in Lynwood.

“The City Council approached us asking how we can work together again, and we gave 250 fruit trees to the city. We even inspired community members to advocate for the transformation of an empty lot and dumping ground into a community garden,” said Garcia. “Our presence in the communities we help doesn’t end when we’re done planting, as we water and maintain each tree for three to five years.”

Environmental messaging

Alongside further planting efforts — in July 2023, TreePeople began distributing 2,000 shade trees and planting 4,000 more trees in under-greened areas with the South LA Eco-Lab — addressing mixed environmental messages has also been key to enriching the lives of LA County residents.

“This is often overlooked by policymakers,” said Garcia. “If you plant a tree in someone’s yard, they have to care for it once a week, and yet one of the most common messages they hear is not to water their yard in the summer or during a drought,” said Garcia. “They’re not being asked to not water trees, just to not water lawns. We’ve partnered with the Metropolitan Water District to bridge this communication gap.”

“Everyone wants a green neighborhood, they want access to unpolluted air and they want the cooling benefits of shade,” she added. “The data shows that the challenges are systemic, they’re being faced in communities that have been historically redlined. Overcoming these challenges is deeper-rooted than planting a tree; that’s where it starts.” (Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)

Researchers found that bringing greenery to median levels in each census tract would bring between 570,300 and 908,800 years of collective life expectancy to disadvantaged residents. Pexels.com photo by Alfo Medeiros

Logovernance

SEEING the controversies that have hounded the rollout of new office logos and branding slogans, government agencies may want to put on pause further initiatives at rebranding.

After the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority is also reportedly set to roll out a new logo. But unlike the DOT and PAGCOR, which allocated millions in public funds for their rebranding initiatives, TESDA has launched a contest for the redesign of its logo and will simply give prize money of P10,000 for the winning entry.

The DOT had initially said P49 million had been allocated for its tourism rebranding campaign, which includes changing the slogan from “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” to “Love the Philippines.” PAGCOR, meanwhile, reportedly spent P3 million for its rebrand, which includes a new logo and what the agency describes as other “deliverables.”

The cost to taxpayers is the main issue being raised against all these efforts at rebranding. Critics point out that the country is still recovering from its worst health and economic crisis, and the national debt breached the P14-trillion mark as of endMay. The finance secretary is warning of “fiscal collapse” in a push to reform the pension system of military and other uniformed personnel. Critics,

Babe’s Eye View

WITH so many Filipino nurses and health care workers now working abroad, “we have become victims of our own success,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during his meeting in Malacañang with American businessmen belonging to the Business Executives for National Security (BENS), who were in Manila to explore areas of cooperation and investment particularly in health care, digital infrastructure and energy. Filipino health care workers are very much in demand, especially in highly developed countries not only because of their reliability and professionalism but also due to the Filipino kindness and compassion in practicing their profession. In fact, their work is so much appreciated that world leaders are asking for more Filipino nurses, doctors and medical practitioners to be deployed in their countries, especially after the pandemic

meanwhile, have pointed out that the Maharlika Investment Fund, which was enacted into law yesterday with the fat salaries expected to be granted to the management team led by the finance secretary, will further bloat public expenditures. In this situation, spending millions in public funds for a rebranding can smack of profligacy with people’s money and a misplaced sense of priorities. Even if new agency logos are developed at no cost to taxpayers, changing office signage and letterheads on official documents to reflect the new logo or slogan will require funds that can otherwise be used for more urgent purposes.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel has described the preoccupation with logos as “logovernance.” He’s not the only one who believes that better than cosmetic rebranding, what is needed in all government agencies is to improve public services. There’s still a mountain of red tape that needs cutting across the bureaucracy. Many other measures are needed to improve efficiency and stop corruption. In any government agency, the best rebranding is honest, efficient and dedicated public service. (Philstar.com)

experience. Founded in 1982, BENS is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that brings together top business executives and national security leaders who believe that private-sector expertise as well as best practices and cutting-edge ideas can help the United States in facing complex national security challenges. During the meeting, the President shared the government’s efforts to make the Philippines an attractive investment destination and transform the economy, while the members of BENS thanked the President for his leadership in restoring the “special and important alliance” between the United States and the Philippines.

The stronger defense ties between the two nations have spurred more interest from American companies to invest in the Philippines, which they see as a place they can trust with their business operations and expansion plans.

We have been receiving a deluge of invitations from state entities and companies from all over the United States for President Marcos to come and visit. One can say that the

President himself is a “victim of his own success.” Because of his successful visits abroad, he has been receiving a lot of invitations from all over the world because of so much interest in the Philippines as an investment destination from potential investors, not only from the U.S. but other nations as well.

The country’s economic managers have been working very hard to create a more business-friendly environment through economic liberalization measures that include amendments to the Retail Trade Liberalization Act that simplified requirements for foreign retailers. A recent welcome development is Executive Order No. 18 that seeks to reduce barriers to doing business in the Philippines by expediting, streamlining and automating government approval and registration processes for priority or strategic investments. A OneStop Action Center for Strategic Investments will be created, which would serve as a singlepoint entry for all projects that would qualify as strategic investments.

According to the president, having reforms that will not only

attract more investments into the country but will also create an environment conducive to business growth is “long overdue,” describing EO 18 as “a huge leap forward, ushering in a new era of efficiency and collaboration within and without.”

Aside from state and official visits, the President’s participation in important meetings such as the UN General Assembly and the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia has also generated expectations for the Philippines to take the lead in upholding a rules-based international order in the region. This is one more example where we have become “a victim of our own success” – especially in light of the Philippines’ victory before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague that handed down a ruling in 2016 that invalidated the wideranging claims of China in the South China Sea.

The 2016 arbitral award has taken a life of its own, so to speak, because even our neighbors with overlapping claims in the South China Sea are using the ruling as basis for their complaints and submissions before the United

Nations to reject the claims of China.

We are also seeing a deluge of support from other countries in our bid to modernize our armed forces, which is part of our defense strategy. As I mentioned during an interview with Bloomberg, we have other like-minded nations such as Japan, Australia and even Italy as well as other European countries that are coming into the picture right now, expressing their recognition for the arbitral award and saying they would like to help in one way or another because they want to see peace and stability in the IndoPacific region. Even India has changed its position regarding the arbitral award, saying it must be adhered to.

While this clearly shows that we are not depending entirely on the United States, it goes without saying that our alliance is helping sustain the momentum as far as our defense strategy is concerned. It must also be important to note that a large majority of Filipinos – 84 percent in fact –are supportive of our alliance with the United States and want the government to continue strengthening its security ties

with our only defense treaty ally to help us in addressing issues involving the West Philippine Sea.

Not surprisingly, political leaders who have been outspoken regarding incidents of aggression in the West Philippine Sea, like Senators Risa Hontiveros and JV Ejercito, are seeing their popularity grow because their statements resonate with many Filipinos who believe that alliances with the U.S. and like-minded nations are important to gather support in defending our sovereignty.

In retrospect, being a “victim of our own success” can in a way be a good problem because it puts the Philippines in the center of attention – opening up a lot of economic opportunities and underscoring the significant role we can play in maintaining peace and stability not only in the region but ultimately, the rest of the world. (Philstar.com)

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

were citizens of Makati.

WE have seen how much the private sector can contribute to help the country modernize its infrastructure. We enjoy world class tollways, a much improved water distribution system and, yes, one of the world’s largest airports rising on the basis on an unsolicited proposal.

Today there is much talk about expanding public-private partnerships to enhance capitalization of our infra needs. For that to happen, however, government must cease being a risk factor for investments.

The most vivid illustration of government making itself a risk actor to investments is the case of tollways. All the contracts for the private sector to invest in tollways contain provisions for escalating toll charges to cover rising costs. More often, however, the escalation of toll charges is delayed – not by weeks but by years. That imposes added financing costs for the investors.

Very often, those with the

power to delay obligatory toll increases make a populist show of ordering them delayed. In many cases, the protest industry of the political Left seizes every toll escalation as an opportunity for rabble-rousing to build public support for themselves.

What is often ignored is that delays in the contractual obligation to adjust rates result in delayed improvements and poorer services. The latest toll adjustments for NLEX gives us reason to be hopeful our public is maturing. The toll adjustments were delayed for years, notwithstanding the schedules provided for in the contracts.

When the adjustments were finally allowed, the public generally accepted the necessity for doing so – especially as the rates were supposed to have been adjusted in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2020.

A few politicians, acting on reflex, objected to the rate adjustments even if toll rates have actually become cheaper if computed against inflation.

They quickly realized they had no public support and abandoned their protestations.

Most motorists, enjoying

savings in time and fuel using the facilities, understood the toll adjustments went through the proper procedures prescribed by the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB). Only one group, the Alliance of Concerned Truck Owners and Organizations (ACTOO), persisted in objecting to the toll adjustment. This is the same agitprop group that objected to the implementation of a new container registry and monitoring system by the Philippine Ports Authority that would speed up the movement of cargo throughout the archipelago.

It turns out that prior to the adjustment, dialogues among all stakeholders were dutifully held. ACTOO claims they were neither informed nor consulted about the toll increase. It turns out from the records, this group was given a whole month by the TRB to file a position paper opposing the adjustment. The group was too lazy to do that.

Without a constituency, their objections could not stand. Not even a play for a toll discount exclusively for their group could be sustained. Inclusive

The Supreme Court has ruled with finality in the decadeslong land dispute between the cities of Taguig and Makati. As a consequence of this ruling, about 10 villages encompassed by Fort Bonifacio and that were formerly with Makati will now be part of Taguig. In this light, the city government of Taguig has reached out to the affected communities to assure them inclusion in the enviable social programs of their new city. This includes the generous scholarship program funded by the administration of Mayor Lani Cayetano.

Since its initiation, the program supported 83,000 scholars. Of this number, over 20,000 have graduated. At least 3,230 of the graduates have become licensed professionals: 50 lawyers, 29 doctors, 34 architects, 188 engineers, 229 accountants, 320 nurses, 722 teachers and many others in various fields.

Taguig benefitted immeasurably from these graduates. As productive members of the community, they have collectively contributed multiplier benefits to the city. They have added to the city’s

rising prosperity. Taguig’s scholarship program does not pressure its beneficiaries to be at the top of their respective classes. It is enough that they acquire an education and eventually practice a profession. The scholars are given enough latitude to enjoy their educational journey and shape their own lives.

Because of its investment in education, Taguig has lower incidence of juvenile delinquency. Its citizens are more confident and more hopeful about the future. The city nurtures its own competitiveness.

Those from the villages transferred to Taguig’s jurisdiction will immediately qualify for the scholarship program. The city government assures them there will be no discrimination. They are welcomed as citizens of Taguig, with all the benefits this translates to.

Over the last few years, Taguig aspired to increase the social benefits enjoyed by its citizens.

Those in the transferred villages should not lose any of the benefits they enjoyed when they

Taguig has evolved into one of the most caring local governments in the National Capital Region. Improvements in the city’s revenues due to the impressive development of the Bonifacio Global City should translate into improved social services for its citizens.

The development of Global City is, in part, due to the farsighted policies of the city government of Taguig. The city lured investors to locate in the new business district by offering lower tax rates. This led to the dizzying rise of businesses relocating to the Global City. The transfer of the villages from Makati to Taguig’s jurisdiction should not diminish the quality of care they enjoyed under the previous dispensation. If at all, it should lead to a better quality of life.

The experience of Taguig must be a textbook case for exemplary local governance. (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.

‘We’re victims of our own success’

2023 SONA protest actions will be bigger than previous year, activists vow

by Gabriel Pabico lalu Inquirer.net

MANILA — The protest movements lined up to counter President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s second State of the Nation Address (SONA) will be bigger than the one held in 2022, activists said on Tuesday, July 18.

According to former lawmaker and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Mong Palatino, the SONA protests along Commonwealth Avenue — dubbed as the People’s SONA — will continue even if it rains on Monday, July 17.

"Definitely the SONA protest this year will be bigger compared to last year, mas marami ang galit, mas marami ang naliwanagan, kasama ‘yong mga kababayan natin na gustong i-register ‘yong protest do’n sa polisiya ni Marcos,” Palatino said during the briefing earlier.

(Definitely the SONA protest this year will be bigger compared to last year, because more people are angry, more have been enlightened, including our fellow Filipinos who want to register their protest over Marcos’ policies.)

“Pangalawa po rain or shine, tuloy ang Sona: at nakahanda po ang ating mga organizations na kung sakaling umulan, magadjust ang program, pero tuloy ang protesta sa Commonwealth,” he added.

(Second, rain or shine, the People’s Sona would continue, and our organizations are preparing to adjust their programs in case of rains, but protest movements along Commonwealth Avenue would push through.)

Former Bayan Muna representative and Bayan chairperson Teddy Casiño said they still do not have any estimate on the number of people who would join the protests, but they have been coordinating with at least 50 organizations for the nationwide movements.

“Sa crowd wala pang estimate kasi hanggang ngayon pumapasok pa ‘yong mga commitments, ang description

lang namin libo-libo ang lalahok. But di pa namin ma-peg ang numbers sa ngayon, siguro a few days from now. ‘Yong bilang ng organisasyon, siguro at least 50 organizations so far ang kausap natin, pero included in those organizations are networks of organizations so madami-dami,”

Casiño said.

(We still don’t have crowd estimates because up to now, commitments are still coming in, but we can say that thousands would join. But we can’t still peg the numbers, maybe a few days from now. With the organizations, we are talking to 50 groups so far, but their networks of these organizations will also be part of the protests.)

Meanwhile, Palatino said that labor groups would hold a forum inside the covered court at the Quezon Memorial Circle, while Sanlakas would hold a protest outside the National Housing Authority (NHA) area, which also sits along the Elliptical Road. These groups would then converge at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) grounds along Commonwealth Avenue.

According to Palatino, they have already coordinated with the Quezon City local government unit (LGU) and the Quezon City Police District for the activities on Monday.

“With the arrangement sa police at saka LGU, ilang linggo na po ang aming coordination. Alam ng LGU, meron silang idedeploy na traffic officers din para tulungan tayo sa traffic. Alam ng QC police ang ating programa, so wala tayong ine-expect na harangan, sana walang hulihan, at sana igalang ‘yong kalayaan sa pamamahayag ng mga mamamayan,” he added.

(Regarding the arrangement with the police and the LGU, we have been coordinating with them for weeks. The LGU knows, they would even deploy traffic officers to help us with traffic management. The QC police know our program, so we don’t expect any barricade, any arrests, and we hope they would respect the people’s right to free expression.)

Palatino said their programs are open to everyone who

PH, US troops hold air combat

would like to protest the current administration’s policies.

“Ito po ay open sa lahat, sa lahat ng naghahangad ng pagbabago, sa lahat ng galit sa patakaran ni Marcos, gusto rin po naming idiin: ito po ay nationwide protest, hindi lang po sa Metro Manila, sa iba’t ibang ciudad, iba’t iba naming mga chapters may isinasagawang paghahanda sa SONA protest,” he said.

(This is open to everyone who wants change, who are mad at the Marcos administration’s policies. We want to emphasize that this is a nationwide protest, it should not be centered on Metro Manila only, as other cities, other chapters are preparing for this SONA protest.)

“Pangalawa po gusto naming idiin ‘yong aming suporta sa panawagan ng labor sector for a wage increase. Marami po kaming mensahe ngayong umaga na ito pero gusto naming ipakita ‘yong malakas at nagkakaisang suporta for a legislated wage increase na sana ito ang maging prayoridad ng Kongreso,” he added.

(We also want to stress our support for the labor sector’s call for wage hikes. We have many messages this morning but we want to show the strong and united call for a legislated wage increase that we hope would be a priority of Congress.)

Marcos will deliver his second SONA on Monday, July 24, after the Senate and the House of Representatives open their session separately. On Monday, House Secretary General Reginald Velasco said that SONA preparations are already at 95 percent.

While allies of the President have lauded him for his several achievements in just his first year, the progressive groups claimed that SONA for them means “state of no accomplishment.”

In the same briefing, labor leader Luke Espiritu said it appears Marcos has not prioritized the needs of the working classes, citing the P40 minimum wage increase for private sector workers in Metro Manila, which he described as meager. g

FILIPINO and American military aircraft conducted air combat and maritime interdiction tactics in the Visayas and Mindanao as part of the aerial exercises of Cope Thunder 2023-2.

"A number of aircraft from the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and [the] US Pacific Air Force (Pacaf) soared into the skies of Visayas and Mindanao during various flight missions under Cope Thunder 2023-2 from July 12-15, 2023, Air Force spokesman Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a statement on Monday, July 17.

Participating PAF aircraft consisted of four FA-50PH light jet fighters and two A-28B "Super Tucanos," while five A-10 "Warthogs" came from the Pacaf.

These aircraft departed Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga, on July 11 for Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, as preparation for the air drills over Mactan and General Santos City.

The deployment also serves as a simulation of the 5th Fighter Wing's deployment for next year's "Pitch Black" exercises in Australia.

"Flight exercises included air interdiction and maritime target (AIMT) to enhance the pilots' skills on tactical airto-surface/ground operations against enemy objectives and air combat maneuvers (ACM), also known as 'dogfighting', to enhance skills in air-to-air combat," Castillo said. No other details were immediately available for security reasons.

One of the highlights of the exercise is the so-called hot refueling operations, where the aircraft engines kept running throughout the process, allowing the aircraft to quickly return to its mission or flight.

"Known also as 'hotpit' operations, these are especially beneficial in time-sensitive situations where minimizing ground time is crucial," the PAF spokesman said.

The Cope Thunder exercises started on July 2 and will run until July 21.

The first iteration of Cope

Thunder for this year took place from May 1 to 12 and focused on mission planning capabilities and execution of defensive and offensive counter-air operations utilizing fighter and cargo aircraft.

The original Cope Thunder exercises, which provided regular flight training for US pilots and those of allied nations, were first held in 1976 and continued annually in the Philippines until 1990.

Earlier, the PAF's 960th Air and Missile Defense Group

(960th AMDG) participated in a three-day subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) on Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), which was held from July 10-12 at Basa Air Base, Floridablanca, Pampanga. This served as a forum for the 960th AMDG and the United States Air Force Pacific Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center to share their best practicses and the latest information pertaining to IAMD. (PNA)

The Asian Journal MDWK

Wednesday JULY 19, 2023

‘I have boundaries’: Lea Salonga addresses viral video over alleged snubbing incident

By JAn Milo Severo Philstar.com

MANILA — Broadway star Lea Salonga addressed the viral video showing her decline to take a photo with her fans waiting outside of her dressing room.

“Just a reminder… I have boundaries. Do not cross them. Thank you,” Lea wrote on her Twitter account.  In another tweet, Lea shared an old interview of her in which she elaborated her boundaries as an artist.

“My husband constantly reminds, ‘You have fans and you should be grateful and feel blessed that you have them.’ I do, I truly do. But when personal boundaries and space are violated, then how am I supposed to react?” she said in the video.

“I understand if you are gonna have a breakdown in front of me or if you’re gonna ask me for a hug. I may not always want to give a hug because you’re a stranger and I don’t know what your intentions are. There’s also that malay ko kung may kutsilyo kang hawak at baka saksakin mo ako. I think that kind of paranoia is in the mind of a lot of artists. You should rightfully have that,” she added.

Lea’s viral video was posted by Facebook user Cristopher Retokelly Carpila.

In the video, Lea politely declined taking pictures with them because she’s in her

Playing afternoon TV’s most-hated character a ‘physical, emotional’ challenge for Pinky

By AllAn PolicArPio Inquirer.net

AS Moira, the domineering main villain in the hit afternoon series “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,” Pinky Amador spends most of her taping days sowing terror and wreaking havoc on the lives of characters around her.

And after hours of screaming, being angry and acting out catfights, Moira often ends up lingering in Pinky’s psyche long after the cameras have stopped rolling. “It’s physically and emotionally challenging. You’re only human, so it’s hard not to get affected by it all,” she said at a recent press conference arranged by ALV Talent Circuit.

nice,” she pointed out.

At the end of the day, Pinky added, engagement is engagement “if you look at it that way.”

Consistently good ratings

The medical drama series, which premiered in September 2022, has been extended indefinitely because of consistently good ratings. More than the show’s engaging twists and turns, Pinky believes it’s the chemistry and camaraderie among actors, creatives and crew that make things work.

dressing room and they are not in the guest list.

“If ever naman po na mali kami at wala sa guest list, the fact na andun na kami para lang magpapicture.. pumila at nagbayad ng mahal para sa show, siguro naman po bilang Kapwa PILIPINO at mga FANS eh mabigyan ng kahit konting RESPETO AT KAHIT HINDI NA

YAKAPIN OR I BESO ay mapagbigyan na kahit sandaling Magpa PICTURE,” Christopher said in his post.

Jericho Rosales, Carmen Soo reunite

FORMER love team

partners Jericho Rosales and Carmen Soo reunited recently.

In her Instagram account, the Malaysian actress posted photos of her with Jericho.

“Caught up with @ jerichorosalesofficial and Tita

@marinezelizalde during my last trip to Manila,” she wrote.

Jericho and Carmen starred in the hit ABS-CBN teleserye “Kahit Isang Saglit” in 2008, which also aired in Malaysia and Singapore.

“We all need reading

glasses now. Yup, Kahit Isang Saglit was 15 years ago,” she said.

“Reading your caption 15 inches away from my face,” Jericho commented.

Carmen visited Manila to

Continued on Page 9

That’s why the seasoned actress sees to it that she doesn’t go to bed without shaking off the remnants of her character.

“You know how we practice pagpag after attending a wake? I have to come up with a way to wash away [Moira]. So I watch Netflix, I listen to spa music or take a hot bath,” she related. “I have to do a detox. Because imagine, you’re screaming, slapping and pulling someone’s hair for an entire day.”

But if it’s any consolation, Pinky’s performance has been so effective, Moira is one of television’s most hated characters at the moment: Her antics get repurposed on social media as memes, and clips of her confrontation scenes rake in views from fans and viewers who can’t stand her character.

However, there are still viewers who can’t quite separate the character from the actress. So, it’s not unusual for Pinky’s social media inboxes or comment sections to get flooded with hate comments.

Positive side

“I deal with them in different ways. Those that are really rude and include slurs and cuss words, I screenshot and post them. So we can have some accountability, right? But those who are just carried away by the story, those are fine. After all, good storytelling can really move people,” she said.

Besides, the situation, Pinky said, is also an opportunity to educate viewers. “There was this netizen who pointed out that you can hate the character, but love the actress. We’re adopting that thinking. With platforms such as Facebook and TikTok, there’s always an opportunity to turn something not so nice into something

“We’re lucky. The relationship we have is so good and rare. We were all like, ‘Have you ever been on a set as fun as this one?’” she said.

“Anything goes. Walang arte. There would be 20 of us in the standby area or room, and we would be in each other’s personal spaces—no problem! We just chat and have a laugh. We’re just grateful to be there,” Pinky said of her coactors led by Jillian Ward, Richard Yap, Carmina Villaroel and Dina Bonnevie.

“I have known Dina for about 36 years, because I was her contravida in the film, ‘Magdusa Ka.’ So of course, chika kami. Carmina, on the other hand, always has good recommendations for everyone. She knows all the good places,” said Pinky, who couldn’t be more impressed by the professionalism of Jillian, who plays the lead character Dr. Analyn.

Simple tips

“There was one morning

Continued on Page 11

Pinky Amador GMA photo

Multi-awarded singer-actress Lea Salonga Philstar.com photo

Former love team partners Jericho Rosales and Carmen Soo Photo from Instagram/@carmen_soo

Jericho Rosales, Carmen...

From Page 8

guest in ABS-CBN teleserye

“The Iron Heart.”

It can be recalled that rumor has it that the parents of Jericho’s girlfriend at that time, Heart Evangelista,

Hilton Los Angeles San Gabriel hosts the 2023 Health Beauty and Wellness MegaMix Expo on July 27th

LOS ANGELES, CA — Hilton Los Angeles San Gabriel is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the highly anticipated 2023 Health Beauty and Wellness MegaMix Expo on July 27th. This exciting event, focusing on health, beauty, and wellness, promises to be a remarkable experience for guests, featuring over 100 vendors who will showcase their innovative products and services.

The MegaMix Expo aims to rejuvenate the mind, body, and spirit, offering guests a unique opportunity to explore the latest trends and offerings in the world of wellness, health, and beauty. From cutting-edge treatments to holistic approaches, attendees will have access to a comprehensive range of options to enhance their well-being.

glamour and excitement to the proceedings. Their presence underscores the significance of the MegaMix Expo as a premier platform for industry professionals to connect and collaborate.

reportedly made her believe that Jericho cheated on her with Carmen.

Heart, however, learned that Jericho did not really cheat on her. (By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com)

This year’s MegaMix Expo will feature a starstudded red carpet produced by Suzanne DeLaurentiis Productions with renowned celebrity guests in attendance. Emmy Nominee Morgan Fairchild, Emmy Winner Sally Struthers, Grammy and Golden Globe nominee Frank Stallone and Award Winning Producer & TV personality Deana Molle will grace the event, adding an extra touch of

The event producers, Alexis Salamanca, Angelo Varsobia, and Tony Chi-Su Gutierrez, are key players in showcasing innovative businesses in the San Gabriel Valley. Through their expertise and dedication, they have created an exceptional event that provides health, beauty, and wellness providers with a direct opportunity to interact with their clientele. The MegaMix Expo serves as a bridge between entrepreneurs, start-ups, and Fortune 500 companies, fostering valuable connections and cultivating new business opportunities. The 2023 Health Beauty and Wellness MegaMix Expo will take place at the Hilton Los Angeles San Gabriel on July 27th. Guests can expect a day filled with discovery, inspiration, and networking opportunities that will propel the industry forward.

To learn more, please visit www.megamixexpo.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Sri Sai Krish Institute: Producing Caring Nurses for a Better Future

On June 28th, the Sri Sai Krish Institute opened its doors at a new location in the city of Orange. While the school has now found a home in a new area, the atmosphere of dedication and care for their students remains the same. While many students continue to flourish with the school, SSKI hopes to also reach out to many more prospective nurses within the new area.

Everyone was all smiles as they attended SSKI’s opening event. SSKI’s owners Ms. VJ and her husband Mr. Bhaskar as well as their children were of course in attendance. Many SSKI staff members were also present, such as SSKI’s Dean Sam Bhimaya, Consultant Judy Corless, and Director of Nursing Maimoona Qadeer. Additionally, students and their families proudly attended to show support for their beloved school. The event also however saw some VIP figures in attendance, such as members of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce, Orange City Council Member John Gyllenhammer, and US Congresswoman Young Kim.

The event showed how adored the school truly is, not just by the students but the community as well. Sri Sai Krish Institute was founded in 2012 by Ms. VJ Bhaskar and at the time they only offered Nursing Assistant and Home Aide programs. Today however, they now offer two main programs, the Vocational Nursing (LVN) Program and Associate Degree Nursing (RN) Program. With this new location, they are looking to further expand program offerings, specifically a BSN program, where students can continue on with their education and acquire a Bachelors in Nursing degree.

Ms. VJ’s own personal story is one that is inspiring for all, especially for her students who are taking the same steps that she once had taken. Her education started in India, where she was studying civil engineering. She then migrated to Australia and here she decided to change her career. The steps she took towards a successful career in nursing were the same ones her students are taking now. She similarly entered a LVN program and just like her students, took the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) once she was in the US and passed. Her story shows that with hard work and dedication, anything can be achieved, no matter where you started or come from.

“I’m living the American dream,” she told attendees, describing how this hard work has led her to fulfilling not just her own career but in helping others take the same path she did. “I’m very proud to be a nurse and I’m very glad God has given us the opportunity to produce a lot of competent, caring, and compassionate nurses,” Ms. VJ expressed, emphasizing how the school is a pivotal part of how she is living her American dream.

“Many of our students who took the CNA program came back to do their LVN and waited seven years for me to open the RN program. They didn’t go anywhere else,” she added, detailing the dedication in which the students have to the school, and for good reason. SSKI, Ms. VJ described, is one of the most affordable schools in the county, emphasizing how they truly care about the education the students receive in order to fulfill their own dreams.

“We want to give quality education to produce good nurses for our communities,” Ms. VJ conveyed to attendees, making them all feel a sense of pride in hers and the school’s overall achievements. US Congresswoman Young Kim, one of the VIPs of the day, spoke a few congratulatory words for SSKI, highlighting how the school represents a significant workforce that is currently in need.

“As someone who has also immigrated, from South Korea, and living the American Dream, who would have thought I would be here standing as your representative,” Young Kim declared as she related to Ms. VJ’s story, furthermore expressing her gratitude towards SSKI for educating a much needed workforce. “This institute already has three cohorts of students that are participating in this degree (RN) program. It is so important because during COVID, the nursing industry had been greatly affected and we saw the importance of nurses taking care of our patients,” she added.

“Nurses are very important in terms of taking care of the public health, however they have been faced with a lot of burn out. So I recognize the need to provide more resources and strengthen this field,” Young Kim added, introducing her own way of giving back to nurses through the National Nursing Workforce Center Program, which is designed to bring more resources and provide additional support to schools like SSKI.

While SSKI is here to produce nurses for a better future, they are not just nurses who are there to serve the community but also to care for them. This new location allows for SSKI to reach out to more prospective nurses all the while taking care of their current students.

Speaking with SSKI’S Dean Sam Bhimaya, one can see how this new location will help foster a continuous growth for the school as well as the students.

As previously mentioned, the school is seeking to add a BSN program, however Bhimaya also mentioned that he plans to bring a Nurse Practitioner Program as well within the next two years. This new building allows for SSKI to have the resources and most of all, space, to be able to take on this next step.

“There were a couple steps that Ms. VJ took to get to this place. She was looking for a larger place than the one we had in Stanton, with many

rooms for multiple purposes. We wanted to have low and high fidelity rooms and lounges for staff and students. We also wanted to have a study area and library, which we didn’t have before, as well as an entrance large enough so everybody feels welcome,” Bhimaya described, emphasizing just how different this new building was to their previous one, which did not have the same capacity. He also expressed how they “wanted to separate the LVNs and RNS”, especially regarding their simulation labs, which used to all be held in similar spaces.

“We plan to incorporate more simulation in our curriculum. We’re going to have simulations that they have to do on the computer, in theory, and in practice,” he continued, highlighting his overall feelings of excitement in the school’s ability to grow with these new additions.

“We are modifying our curriculum to make it more challenging and marketable so students can have the skills they need before they graduate,” Bhimaya emphasized, expressing his hope for the students in their capabilities to find a job right as they graduate from SSKI.

“We built a curriculum on KSA: knowledge, skills, and attitude. So knowledge would be getting the basic skills from the textbook and putting it into practice. Skills are increasing competency to do certain procedures. And attitude. We want students to have the right attitude before they graduate,” Bhimaya highlighted, where his own attitude of determination but also kindness in helping the students shine through within his words as well as an additional reason as to why SSKI made a move to a bigger place.

While getting to know the history of SSKI as well as hearing testimonials from their

students and staff, it is clear that the students’ best interests are always taken into consideration at this institute. “The new place will allow the students more experience in simulation while allowing them a second home so that they can study and at the same time take an exam. They can go to the library, check out a book and study it. They can also go to the computer lab and do questions for practice then take an exam.”

When touring the building, not only was the place filled with classrooms as well as resources for the students, such as computers, medical supplies, and books, there were additionally a large amount of study rooms and lounges. This represents the balance in life that SSKI seems to want their students to have between their schooling and lives. Bringing back what Congresswoman Young Kim said regarding the burn out felt amongst nurses during the pandemic, here at SSKI, it is clear that not only does academics matter for the students but also their personal well being and health.

Therefore, if you want an immersive and all-around education in nursing that is also affordable and manageable, Sri Sai Krish Institute is a place to be. With their new location in the city of Orange, who knows what is in store for the school but also for the nursing workforce. The amount of dedication and care that the staff and students put into the paths they are following here at SSKI, the future of nursing is surely in good hands.

If you are interested in joining the school, Sri Sai Krish Institute can be contacted via phone or email: (714) 890-7023 vjbhaskar@sskinstitute.org

Additionally, you can also find more information on their programs and the school itself on their website: https://www. sskinstitute.org/ (Advertising Supplement)

Pictured above is a moment from SSKI’s ribbon cutting ceremony. In the middle is Ms. VJ, surrounded by her two daughters and husband Mr. Bhaskar. Also pictured with her is US Congresswoman Young Kim (left) and members of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

This cozy reception area is a new addition to SSKI. It is a place meant to make visitors and prospective students feel welcome.

Pictured is one of the many study lounges meant for SSKI students. This allows them to study as well as relax before the next exam or assignment.

This is one of the many simulation labs that SSKI

by: Amrylois Ferido

Tony Chi-Su

What to do with conditional green card status in troubled marriages

Barrister’s Corner

MARRIAGE for many

persons is the culmination of one’s life. Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially and economically. For those persons who lack permanent residency in the United States and have married a United States citizen, marriage also presents an opportunity to obtain permanent residency. However, although the opportunity to obtain permanent residency arises in such situations, one must be aware of and comply with procedures in existence to obtain such status.

Due to concerns that persons were becoming married to United States citizens merely to obtain permanent residence status, a two-step procedure under the

Immigration Marriage

Fraud Amendments of 1986 (IMFA) was set up to ensure such status was given to those only in marriages that are bona-fide and not entered into simply for immigration purposes. Under step one of the procedure, if a person is petitioned by his/her U.S. citizen spouse within 24 months after becoming married, that person is given only conditional permanent residence. Such conditional permanent residence status lasts for two years from the date on which it is granted.

Step two of the procedure involves the removal of the conditional label to permanent residence status. Removal of the conditional label is initiated

by filing an I-751 Joint Petition to Remove Condition to Permanent Residence (“Joint Petition”). The Joint Petition provides an opportunity for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to inquire as to the legitimacy of the marriage after conditional permanent residence is granted.

Accordingly, documentation evidencing that the marriage was entered into for bona-fide reasons should be submitted as part of the Joint Petition. The Joint Petition must be filed with the USCIS service center in the 90 days immediately prior to the second anniversary of the granting of conditional permanent residence.

Typically, upon the filing of

Client relies on three bankrupties in 12 years to save house & wipe out debts

Debt Relief

The procedure described hereinabove applies in situations where the marriage has not been terminated.

Often, the Joint Petition cannot be filed or approved because the marriage, although bona-fide when entered into, has been terminated by divorce. May aliens become threatened of falling out of status once their marriage is in trouble because the spouse often refuse to cooperate or has filed a divorce petition. In such cases there is still hope and the prospect of obtaining unconditional permanent residence status still remains. A waiver of the joint petition requirement may be sought in such cases.

* * *

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.  The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information.  This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you.  This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C.  This article is not a solicitation.

Atty. LAwrence yAng

I JUST finished attending the telephonic bankruptcy hearing with my client recently and am reminded of his bankruptcy saga over the last 12 years. Client is married and 82 years old. By any standard he’s a senior. The first time he and his wife who is ten years younger than he walked into my office, he was 70, and his wife was 60. That was in 2007. That was the time when the mortgage crisis was full blown. House values plummeted. Many big banks had gone under and needed rescuing by President Obama’s Marshall plan. Lehman brothers, one of the biggest investment banks had gone kaput. This was the time when the banks were buying and selling shares or parts of mortgages. It was great for a while then the whole structure collapsed. It was a financial debacle that started here with global consequences. The stock market lost 40% of value over a span of several months.

a social security number and they’ll give him 2 trust deeds to pay for his fancy doghouse. He told me that he was paying for two trust deeds, his house was upside down (no equity), and there was no way for him to pay for his credit cards. With $100K of credit cards, he needed $3K a month of minimum monthly payments to keep them current. He said he was also having a difficult time paying the 2nd trust deed of $700 a month.

Chapter 7 wiped out all of the $100K of credit cards and gave clients an opening to ask for a loan modification on the 2nd trust deed. This was held by bank, which had acquired the trust deed from another bank, which was in bad shape. Upon receiving our request to modify the terms of the 2nd trust deed and presented with the discharge of client’s debts in Chapter 7, and faced with an upside down property, Bank decided to forget about the 2nd trust deed entirely. The bank gave clients a reconveyance on the $80K 2nd trust deed so this trust deed completely disappeared.

convinced them would make them “like God”, when Lucifer himself had such a big head and thought he was so perfect as an angel before his fall, and wanted to “replace God,” we, their descendants would have bodies that would never die, get sick or old. But that’s all water under the bridge for us. Fortunately, God loved us so much, that he asked his one and only beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us, the redeem us from sin, and Jesus willingly obliged, because he also loved us so much, that he died for us, so we can have eternal life with them in heaven! That is awesome! Watch out for the sin of pride, it opens the door to many bad and evil things into your life and the life of your loved ones.

Lucifer refused to serve God, thinking he was greater than God, so God damned him eternally to hell. He can’t really fight God, so he’s busy turning us humans to betray God. Lucifer says “nonserviam” to God, meaning he refuses to serve God.

the Joint Petition, a one-year extension of the conditional permanent residence is granted. The extension affords the USCIS time to schedule an interview with the person seeking permanent residence, and to make a determination as to whether unconditional permanent residence will be granted for a ten-year period. In cases in which documentation submitted as part of the Joint Petition clearly show that the marriage is bona-fide and not merely for immigration purposes, INS may approve a Joint Petition without an interview.

* * * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Client was one of those who were able to put an $80K downpayment on the purchase of their house, with a 2nd trust deed. It was so easy to buy a house at then. They finance the entire purchase price of the house with two trust deeds. No money for downpayment? No problem. They just finance your entire downpayment with a 2nd trust deed.

In 2007, client was employed and making about $4K gross a month. His wife was also employed and making about $2K a month. He was healthy, although I would say that it was obvious that he was about 40 lbs. overweight. But he had no major health issues. On the financial side, clients had about $100K of credit card debt that they had accumulated over a period of 10 years. Yes, despite being highly leveraged, they were still able to buy their dream house with 100% financing. During that time, even your dog could buy a house. Just get him

Clients had a fresh start at the age of 70 and 60 with zero credit card debt, zero 2nd trust deed, and left only with the first trust deed of $250K. Everything was going very well.

After 5 years, at the age of 75, client lost his job. He started defaulting on his first trust deed. In about 6 months, he had a default of $12K on the house. The bank sent him a notice of default with intent to foreclose. This meant that he had 90 days to cure the default of $12K (of course in 90 days the default would become $18K) or else his house would be foreclosed and sold on auction sale.

The problem was it’s not easy for a 75 year old to get a job. The fact is only Walmart wants to hire seniors as gatekeepers. That’s just the way things are. Our society dotes on the young and neglects the old. Even if the old Prius is running well, people want the new Tesla. Sophia Loren still has her voluptuous shape but doesn’t turn heads anymore. Blame this on Adam and Eve. If they had not eaten of the forbidden fruit that the serpent Lucifer had

Back to client, on the 7th month, his employer hired him back so he’s able to pay the current portion of the first trust deed, but cannot pay the $18K default in time to stop the auction sale. We filed a Chapter 13 for him in 2012 to stop the foreclosure of his house and to give him 60 months or 5 years to pay off the $18K, that’s about $300 monthly.

So the Chapter 13 saves his house and allows him to pay off the $18K default in 5 years, which ends in 2017.

Last month, client sees me again and says he health is not so good anymore and he is now 82. He is sick with diabetes and cancer. He can’t work anymore and just receiving social security. His wife is also receiving social security. They can pay for the first trust deed, which is down to $200K. The house is now worth $400K, so the equity is $200K. But they’ve accumulated another $80K of credit cards!

They can file another Chapter 7 because it’s been six years since the filing of their Chapter 13. They Chapter 7 now will get rid of the $80K of credit cards so they can keep on paying the first trust deed on

Under step one of the procedure, if a person is petitioned by his/ her U.S. citizen spouse within 24 months after becoming married, that person is given only conditional permanent residence. Such conditional permanent residence status lasts for two years from the date on which it is granted.

To brands, Heart Evangelista’s face and poses are currency. Photo from Instagram/@

Heart opens global doors for PH designers

IN the countdown to the highly anticipated Haute Couture Week, its official Instagram page Instagram page (@hautecoutureweek) chose no less than Filipina fashion icon Heart Evangelista to mark D-3, the three days before the start of the global fashion event.

In the teaser, Evangelista chose to wear a jaw-dropping modern terno by Filipino designer Cheetah Rivera. She had been first photographed in Rivera’s white and blue ombré “Santiago” dress exactly a year ago on the streets of Paris.

This time, it served as the backdrop for a “save the date” of the world’s premier fashion event for Fall/Winter 2023, bringing pride to the Philippines not just for her presence, but for also putting Filipino fashion on the spotlight at the biggest stage of couture.

Similarly, the feature paved the way for the entry of other Filipinos to Paris, Milan and New York Fashion weeks and the international fashion scene as a whole.

The post did not bear her name, but Evangelista’s face is already familiar the world over

Sharon and daughter Miel encourage Filipinos to dream big

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

SHARON Cuneta, known as the country’s Megastar, is not just an accomplished performer but also a devoted mother. Her close relationship with her children inspires many since she consistently shares her love and pride for them on her social media accounts.

A compelling testament to her unwavering commitment to her children’s happiness and personal growth is her support for her daughter Miel — her youngest child with former senator Kiko Pangilinan — who courageously came

out as queer in June 2022. The situation highlighted the strong bond Cuneta shares with her daughter, fostering a positive and inclusive environment for Miels’ selfacceptance and continuing journey where it matters most at home. The Mega mom’s love and admiration for Miel has always been evident, as she is known to refer to the 18-year-old as her “mini-me.”

Miel, who just finished high school, has been accepted into her dream college and is keen to learn more about managing her finances.

“I love to draw and paint and make art; it’s probably one of my biggest passions

in life. I’m inspired by a lot of things like the experiences of womanhood and being Filipino. One of my biggest dreams in life is to become

a successful visual artist, and I’m very glad I’m with InLife. I feel they can help me secure that future that I want so badly,” she expressed.

what with top-tier magazines, from Elle and Instyle to Bazaar and Vogue, also featuring her. To brands, Evangelista’s face and poses are currency. With her impeccable personal style, head-turning looks and eye-catching strut, she gets the front seat in high-profile runway shows, sought after by designers to lend her name to their brand. The luxury list is endless — Chanel, Guerlain, Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Balmain, Prada, Kenzo, Giambattista Valli, you name it.

Alongside, she champions Filipino brands — Neric Beltran, Cheetah Rivera, Maison Glarino, and Mark Bumgarner — making their creations known to the world and bringing global attention to Philippine textile and design. The fashion world craves for more from Evangelista, and she is just getting started. The next time a fashion photographer’s camera clicks, whether in Milan, Paris, LA or Singapore, it would likely be the Filipina fashion icon, owning style, grace and elegance in a single frame. (ManilaTimes.net)

Ricky Rivero, former teen star and filmmaker, dies at 51

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

RICKY Rivero, former teen star turned actor-filmmaker, has died. He was 51 years old.

Rivero’s death was confirmed by his boyfriend on Facebook on Sunday, July 16, although the posts appeared to have been taken down or set into private, as of this writing. The identity of the actorfilmmaker’s partner has yet to be disclosed, as of this writing.

“Good morning po sa inyong lahat. Maraming salamat po sa tumulong sa asawa ko na [si] Ricky. Ngayon wala na po si Ricky S Rivero namayapa na po,” the post read. “Maraming salamat sa walang sawang tulong sa asawa ko (Good morning, everyone.

Thank you very much to those who helped my partner Ricky.

Now, Ricky S. Rivero is gone. He passed away. Thank you very much to those who helped him).”

The actor-filmmaker’s partner then shared a photo of them together in a follow-up post, where he thanked Rivero for his love through the years.

“Asawa pahinga kana wala kanang sakit na mararamdaman. Salamat sa isang taong pagsasama, isang taong [pag-aaway] isang taong kasiyahan. madaming salamat

Client relies on three bankrupties in 12 years to...

From Page 10

their house. Their children now help them with some contribution once in a while to help them make ends meet. Wife is still working part time so that brings in some extra income too.

Multiple Bankruptcy filings are not unusual. Life’s circumstances change and debt accumulates. Believe it or not, Walt Disney, filed for Chapter 7 not once, but twice before his Disney global empire became successful.

He went on to become a billionaire after getting rid of all his debt twice. Milton Hershey, of Hershey chocolates, the biggest chocolate business in the world, also filed for Chapter 7 once before he became successful and a billionaire.

If you have too much debt and need relief, please set an appointment to see me. I will analyze your case personally. * * *

Disclaimer: None of the foregoing is considered legal advice for anyone. Each case is different. There

is no absolutely no attorney client relationship established by reading this article.

* * * Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than

sa

na mahal kita Ricky S Rivero

now, my love. No more pain. Thank you for a year of togetherness, of arguments, and happiness.

Thank you so much for everything, love. I love you so much, Ricky S Rivero),” his post read.

Rivero was rushed to the Philippine Heart Center last May after suffering from a stroke, per a Philippine Entertainment Portal report.

The filmmaker, who’s best known for his appearance on the variety show “That’s Entertainment,” is best known for his films “Eva Fonda” and “D’ Aswang Slayerz.”

Playing afternoon TV’s...

From Page 8

when she looked tired and hadn’t had much sleep. She was supposed to say her lines as I slapped her, but she couldn’t. It was just a disguised slap. So she asked Direk if I could slap her for real. True enough, she nailed the scene— tears fell and everything was smooth sailing after,” she said.

Pinky, who’s also an experienced theater actor and acting coach, do give some tips to her younger costars once in a while—but just the little things, she stressed. “When I see that they’re having trouble breathing or losing volume in their voice, I whisper to them, ‘Breathe from your belly.’ If you can give them tips that would

help the scene, then why not?” she said.

“But for the actual acting and approach to the scenes, there are acting coaches for that, like Anne Villegas. And I still benefit from working with coaches or directors. I love collaborating creatively … I appreciate when the director changes things up, so your acting isn’t same-old, sameold,” she said.

Is she willing to play Moira for a couple more months? “It’s all up to them. If Jillian and the rest of the cast are willing to, why not? The ratings are good. Why kill a good thing? It’s not every day that a show like this comes along,” Pinky said.

Ricky Rivero Photo from Facebook/Ricky S Rivero

lahat asawa. mahal

(Rest

Sharon Cuneta (right) with her daughter Miel ManilaTiimes.net photo