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Fil-Am community leader Jessica Caloza launches CA assembly campaign

LOS ANGELES — Filipina American public servant and longtime community organizer Jessica Caloza has officially announced her bid for a California state assembly seat.

Caloza is running for California’s 52nd district, an area that covers portions of northeast Los Angeles, including Eagle Rock, Silver Lake, Echo Park and Lincoln Heights, East Los Angeles, and the city of Glendale.

Backed with high-powered endorsements from Attorney General Rob Bonta, Service Employees International Union (SEIU) California State Council, and seven state assemblymembers, Caloza kicked off her

SC upholds dismissal of over P1 billion forfeiture case vs. Marcoses

MANILA – Supreme Court has affirmed Sandiganbayan’s previous decision dismissing the P1.050 billion civil forfeiture suit filed against former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., former first lady Imelda Marcos and their alleged cronies.

In a 25-page decision made public on Wednesday, July 19, the first division of Supreme Court ruled that the petition for review to reverse the Sandiganbayan’s ruling lacked merit.

President Bongbong Marcos signs Maharlika Investment Fund into law

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, July 18 signed the controversial Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) bill into law.

The president signed the bill at the Kalayaan Hall of the Malacañan Palace, with members from both the Senate and the House

of Representatives in attendance.

The MIF had drawn widespread criticism due to possible pitfalls of investments. Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III had called for Marcos to veto the measure.

According to Pimentel, the law would divert resources that could be used to solve immediate issues such as education and healthcare gaps.

Senator Francis Escudero had described

Marcos on SONA: We have made signi cant progress

by HELEN FLORES, DELON PORCALLA Philstar.com

SAN FERNANDO — 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.

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

by ZACARIAN SARAO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday, July 17 according to Hua Chunying, the spokesperson of the Chinese foreign ministry.

The Chinese Embassy in Manila said that the two met

the MIF as a leap into the unknown.

Marcos has certified the bill as urgent for both chambers of Congress. The controversial MIF breezed through the legislative branch with an overwhelming majority in both chambers. In the House of Representatives, the measure garnered 279 yes votes while the bill got 19 votes in the Senate.

Only seven lawmakers voted against

if it pushes drug war probe

by MELVIN GASCON, TINA G. SANTOS Inquirer.net

MANILA — Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Monday, July 17 said the Philippine government will not bow to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if it issues warrants of arrest against certain individuals once the tribunal favors the resumption of its investigation of crimes against humanity committed during the drug war of former President Rodrigo Duterte. “No, they won’t do anything here,” Remulla said. “They have nothing to do here. What will they do, invade us? Do they want to come here like we’re a colony? That’s a thing of the past…

DEVELOPING PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. vowed on Wednesday, July 19 to pursue more public transportation development projects as part of the administration’s efforts to improve the lives of the commuting public. The President made the remark during the inauguration of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1)

Jessica Caloza Contributed photo

Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte with Chinese President Xi Jinping. Photo from a Twitter post by Hua

President Bongbong Marcos signs...

the MIF, namely Sen. Risa Hontiveros in the Senate and Representatives France Castro, Raoul Manuel, Arlene Brosas, Edcel Lagman, Mujiv Hataman, and Gabriel Bordado in the House of Representatives.

MIF has safeguards, viable benefits

Principal author and sponsor of the MIF in the Senate, Senator Mark Villar said there are safeguards to assure that the MIF will be an effective tool for the country’s investments, away from the hands of corruption.

ICC ‘not welcome’ if it pushes drug war...

We are now a free country and we have our own system of laws.”

The Appeals Chamber of the ICC was expected to announced on Tuesday, July 18 its decision on the Philippine government’s appeal against the continuation of the ICC prosecutor’s probe into the killings during the drug war.

But Remulla told reporters: “They are not welcome here in the Philippines. We are a very hospitable people, but if what they will do is just meddling, we will not allow that. We have our own system of laws, we have our own tradition, we have our own police force, we have our own prosecution, and we have courts that they should not interfere with or ignore.”

“They should respect our sovereignty. My appeal is for them not to attempt to interfere with us,” he added.

According to the justice chief, the ICC has allowed itself to be used in political agendas which seek to meddle with the country’s sovereignty and judicial processes.

“The ICC is for countries with no prevailing justice system and it is where they are needed. They should not interfere in the established system of the Republic of the Philippines,” Remulla said.

Pass on evidence

He suggested that the ICC instead pass on its evidence to the Philippine government if they want certain individuals to be held accountable.

“As long as they have evidence against these persons that they want prosecuted, then they should give them to us so that we will be the ones to prosecute those who committed crimes in our country,” he said.

Remulla’s predecessor, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra, said: “Going by the series of ICC actions, we are not too sanguine about a favorable ruling… [W]e just want to exhaust all legal remedies available to us under the framework of the Rome Statute.”

He said that if the government’s appeal is upheld by the ICC’s Appeals Chamber, then that will be the end of the investigation.

Who will enforce?

“[But] if the appeal is dismissed, then the ICC prosecutor will be authorized to resume his investigation into the Philippine situation.

There will be no further appeal available to the Philippine government,” Guevarra said.

He explained further that, “depending on the evidence he may be able to gather, the ICC prosecutor may seek the issuance of summonses or warrants of arrest against certain individuals. These persons who may be indicted will have to engage their own defense counsel.”

Guevarra noted in an earlier interview that the question remains as to who will enforce the ICC’s arrest warrants.

“Whether the ICC can enforce it or not is a totally different question because the ICC will have to depend on local authorities to enforce that warrant of arrest,” he said.

But regardless of the outcome on Tuesday, Guevarra said the Philippine government would continue its own investigation and prosecution of abuses in connection with the drug war.

Police in drug trade

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros pointed out that Malacañang’s “silence” on the alleged involvement of the police in the drug trade compels the ICC’s continuing investigation.

“If this administration wants to exact accountability, if it wants to really solve our issue of problematic drug use, if they really want to fix government institutions including the (Philippine National Police), why aren’t they speaking up?” Hontiveros said at a forum on Monday.

It will be recalled that President Marcos in January had sought the courtesy resignations of PNP officials, amid reports of violations committed by the police in the drug war and of police involvement in the drug trade.

The alleged role of the police in illegal drugs was especially underscored by the raid on Oct. 8, 2022, at a Manila warehouse operated by a narcotics officer and the apparent cover-up that followed that operation.

Hontiveros said Mr. Marcos “must be mindful that this war on drugs, which soon turned out to be a war on the poor, has led to the death of about 30,000 poor victims, which is one of the most severe, darkest legacies of the Duterte administration.”

She expressed optimism that the ICC will allow the resumption of the investigation of the government’s war on drugs. g

Villar already discussed the checks and balances incorporated in the MIF bill during its series of deliberations.

Even the president himself sees the benefits of the MIF for the nation’s economy.

Marcos Jr. has publicly expressed support for the MIF that seeks to establish a sovereign wealth fund.

The president said the MIF would be needed to provide additional investment for the government.

“For sure. I would not have brought it up otherwise,” he told reporters when asked if the MIF would be “advantageous” for the government.

“It’s very clear that we need added investment. This is another way to get that,” he said.

Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said there is no doubt that the MIF has benefits, but this can’t be felt immediately.

Zubiri nevertheless stressed that the MIF will help spur “increased economic activity.”

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez said MIF is solid enough to safeguard against misappropriations and abuse. g

Former President Duterte...

at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing.

CCTV Video News Agency posted a video of its report on the meeting.

According to Hua, Xi told Duterte he “appreciates the strategic choice” he made to improve China’s relationships with the Philippines.

“China values its relations with the Philippines and is ready to work with the Philippines to promote the steady and sustained growth of bilateral relations,” Hua said on Twitter.

Duterte’s administration acted as a close ally of China despite the tension with the Philippines due to China’s nine-dash line, a sweeping claim over nearly the entire South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea.

The Philippines challenged this claim in

2013 before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, which it won on July 12, 2016. The arbitral ruling invalidated China’s claim and upheld the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its 370-kilometer exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea.

Duterte’s pivot to China — which weakened ties with the United States — ran in contrast with current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. who restored those ties with the U.S.

Earlier this year, the U.S. and the Philippines agreed to additional Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in four locations in Luzon that were identified by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

This drew the ire of the Chinese government, calling the move as “stoking the fire by offering the U.S. access to military bases near the Taiwan Strait.” g

NO TURNING BACK. A delivery rider navigates flooded MacArthur Highway in Valenzuela City on Sunday, July 16, determined to fulfill his commitment. The enhanced southwest monsoon (habagat) is bringing frequent rains to many parts of Luzon.

PNA

photo by Joan Bondoc

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signs the Maharlika Investment Fund bill into law on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. Photo from RTV Malacañang

CRY FOR JUSTICE. In this 2018 photo, leaders and supporters of Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a network of Church workers, human rights advocates, and relatives of victims of drug-related killings, air their appeal for justice for victims of then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. Photo by Grig C. Montegrande / Philippine Daily Inquirer

SC upholds dismissal of over P1 billion...

The petition was submitted by Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG).

“In order to consider petitioner’s evidence as sufficient to prove the allegations of its expanded complaint, the Court has to perform many leaps of logic, engage in presumptions, and create inferences based on other inferences in order to bridge the gaps in the evidence adduced,” the resolution penned by SC Associate Justice Ricardo Rosario read.

“In the face of such gaps, petitioner’s allegations in its expanded complaint are reduced to mere speculations, insinuations and conjectures,” the magistrate noted.

“Thus, while it is truly disappointing that nothing has come of this case despite the lapse of 36 years spent in litigation, the Court agrees with the Sandiganbayan that petitioner’s evidence is insufficient to support the allegations of its Expanded Complaint by a preponderance of evidence,”

the decision stated.

PCGG filed the forfeiture case in 1987 to recover assets and properties from the Marcos family and their alleged cronies.

These possessions included P609.27 million in shares of stocks and P443.05 million in real properties.

The expanded complaint included as respondents

Bienvenido Tantoco Jr., Dominador Santiago,

Bienvenido Tantoco Sr., Gliceria Tantoco, and Maria Lourdes Tantoco-Pineda.

They allegedly acted as dummies for the Marcoses in acquiring franchises to operate tourist dutyfree shops at international airports, hotels and commercial centers.

Sandiganbayan, however, rejected many pieces of evidence presented by PCGG.

The anti-graft court justified its action by saying the evidence were not presented during the discovery proceedings or that the documents submitted were mere photocopies.

Only 11 exhibits and four testimonies were admitted as evidence.

Afterwards, Sandiganbayan concluded the remaining admissible evidence were either insufficient to prove the allegations of the expanded complaint, or were not related to the facts that PCGG had wanted to prove.

In affirming the antigraft court’s earlier verdict, the High Court declared, “Clearly, these documents are insufficient to prove that respondents concealed illegally obtained assets, or amassed ill-gotten wealth.”

“Accordingly, the Sandiganbayan was correct in dismissing the Expanded Complaint for Reconveyance, Accounting, Restitution and Damages against all the respondents,” it concluded.

(By Tetch Torres-Tupas/ Inquirer.net)

A FAMILY BACK IN POWER. The country’s 17th President and his family bask in the glow of a completed political comeback. On stage after President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ oathtaking are (from left) his son Joseph Simon Marcos, nephew Fernando Martin “Borgy” Manotoc, sister Sen. Imee Marcos, nephew Matthew Joseph Manotoc, son Ferdinand Alexander, mother Imelda Romualdez Marcos, wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, son William Vincent and adopted sister Aimee. File photo by Lyn Rillon

BACK-TO-SCHOOL. Work never stops at a school and office supplies store in Cubao, Quezon City. On Monday, July 17, the staff begin preparation for the next school year that will start late August and for some schools that will conduct post-vacation classes. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Marcos on SONA: We have...

many 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.

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 worried about writing the speech.”

Fil-Am community leader....

candidacy with an aggressive campaign battlecry of pushing for equal opportunity for everybody especially the immigrants.

“My immigrant family had the opportunity to work hard, get good paying jobs, and build a better life. I want all families to have the same opportunity my family did. It’s not about one of us, it’s about all of us. That’s what my campaign for Assembly is about,” Caloza said in a campaign announcement on July 11.

Caloza made history as the first Filipina to serve as a Los Angeles Board of Public Works Commissioner and oversaw 5,000 employees that delivered city services to four million people.

One of the key projects Caloza delivered during her time at the Department of Public Works was the Historic Filipinotown Eastern Gateway along Beverly Boulevard.

She also worked as an Education Policy Advisor in the Obama administration, focusing on programs that helped students and families. Adding to her campaign platform, Caloza said, “I want to bring the community’s voice to Sacramento. The challenges facing hard working families and neighborhoods across our district are many but I’m ready to fight for change.”

Caloza has served in various positions in federal, state, and local government, during LA Mayor Eric

Garcetti’s administration, and most recently served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the California Attorney General.

“People throughout the 52nd District need and deserve a representative in the State Assembly who will bring compassion, proven leadership, inclusiveness, and a forward-thinking vision to get things done. We have many issues to tackle – a worsening homeless and housing crisis, lack of good paying middle class jobs, an underfunded public education system, a climate emergency, rampant gun violence, and more. My life’s work has been about bringing diverse communities together to find common ground and make positive change —that’s how I plan to lead in the Assembly. I want to fight for the people of the 52nd District like I would fight for my family,” she added.

In showing his strong support for Caloza, AG Bonta described Caloza as a fearless and visionary leader.

“She has the skills, proven abilities, and drive needed to be an effective leader in the State Assembly and a strong voice for communities in every corner of the 52nd District on Day 1. Whether it be enhancing neighborhood safety, curbing gun violence, making our criminal justice system more just, tackling homelessness, fighting for our rights and freedoms, and beyond, Jessica will be a powerful force for progress.

I look forward to partnering with her in the California State Assembly. Jessica has my full backing and support,” Bonta stressed.

SEIU California State Council and SEIU-CIR Regional Vice President, Los Angeles General Hospital Resident Physician Mahima Iyengar, on the other hand, said Caloza could be a bold champion for working class in the state Assembly.

“Working families need leaders in the State Assembly who understand the challenges our members face every day. Jessica Caloza grew up in a working class community. She is the proud daughter of a janitor and nurse. Given her background and experiences, Jessica knows firsthand the struggles workers grapple with on a regular basis. SEIU California State Council is proud to endorse Jessica Caloza because we know she will be a bold leader for change, fighting for livable wages, better working conditions and protections for workers’ rights. We’re excited to support her,” Iyengar said.

Caloza also received support from key state Assemblymembrs Mia Bonta, Isaac Bryan (Assembly Majority Leader), Mike Fong, Matt Haney (Assistant Majority Whip), Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Evan Low (chair of the API Legislative Caucus) and Stephanie Nguyen (assistant speaker pro tem).

Passionate about fully funding and improving

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 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.

public schools, Caloza also worked in President Barack Obama’s Administration as an education policy advisor. Prior to her service in the federal government, she worked as a community organizer on President Obama’s campaign, and before that, Caloza worked for social justice non-profits that provided critical services

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 Macapagal-Arroyo, 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, July 17, 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

to immigrants, working families, and youth. As longtime grassroots activist and community organizer, Caloza has been actively serving in the boards of local nonprofits that deliver services to survivors of human trafficking and provides mental health counseling to youth and their families.

Caloza is also active in Democratic politics and serves as the Southern California Chair of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Caucus in the California Democratic Party and is a longtime board member of the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD). (by Donnabelle GatdulaArevalo/AJPress)

SIMULATION. An Airbus helicopter is parked at the hangar just outside the House of Representatives at the Batasang Pambansa Complex, Quezon City on Monday, July 17. Officials conducted a walk-through of the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., slated July 24.

FEATURES OPINION 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.

Editorial

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 end-May. The finance secretary is warning of “fiscal collapse” in a push to reform the pension system of military and other uniformed personnel. Critics, meanwhile, have pointed out that the Maharlika Investment Fund, which was enacted into law on Tuesday, July 18 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)

victims of our own success’

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 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

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

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‘We’re

Dateline PhiliPPines

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 24.

“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, mag-adjust 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 libolibo 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 ineexpect 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 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, July 17, 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

PH, US troops hold air combat

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 20232 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 air-to-surface/ground operations against enemy objectives and air combat maneuvers (ACM), also

FA-50PH maintenance crew checking the hot refueling of aircraft at General Santos Airport on July 13, 2023. Photo courtesy of the Philippine Air Force

Victims’ families, groups hail ICC decision to proceed with ‘drug war’ probe

by James Relativo Philstar.com

MANILA — Groups and families left behind by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s brutal “war on drugs” welcomed the International Criminal Court’s decision to continue its investigation into the Philippines with hope that it would finally give them justice for alleged extrajudicial killings.

The ICC this Tuesday, July 18 affirmed its decision to carry on with its investigation into a campaign that led to the deaths of over 6,000 acknowledged by the government. Estimates by rights groups that include deaths attributed to vigilantes and drug syndicates reach as high as 30,000.

“We will continue to speak out, seek justice and fight!

We are no longer under president Duterte but the spate of killings continue,” said Amy Jane Lee of Rise UP this Tuesday in Filipino, speaking on behalf of families left orphaned and widowed by extrajudicial killings.

“We were the ones made to face difficulties. Why would we be embarassed? The pain of our loss will not cease just because of the ICC decision. Only time, humility on the part of those who oppressed us and accountability of the perpetuators could make us

heal.”

The kin of the EJK victims and their advocates said that they are ready to cooperate with the ICC as it pushes forward, with the decision building confidence for accountability for the killings.

Groups show support

Several human rights groups welcomed the chamber’s decision, saying that it is high time that the ICC investigation proceed without a hitch so that the victims could inch towards justice.

“There is urgent need for international mechanisms such as the ICC to come in because all domestic investigation mechanisms presented by the Duterte and the current Marcos regimes in response to calls for justice and accountability are ineffective and only meant to window-dress the current dire human rights situation,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan.

“We laud the courage, perseverance and tenacity of the victims and their families, as well as the diligence and persistent work of human rights lawyers in pursuing this investigation. Let this welcome development further inspire the Filipinos’ struggle for justice and accountability.”

The group In Defense of

Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDefend) for their part said that the ICC recent decision to reject the state’s petition exemplifies the principle that “justice cannot wait.”

“We further commend the international community’s unrelenting support to the cause of justice. Lastly we commend the survivors and victims’ families whose collective courage pushes the wheels of international justice to turn,” said iDefend.

“In the end their struggle benefits all of us who pray such a war, the impact of which will be felt for generations, is never imposed on us again.”

‘Marcos should cooperate once and for all’

Together with iDefend, groups such as Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Human Rights Watch joined in the wider call for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to direct the government to cooperate with the ICC.

“It is time for Mr. Marcos and the Philippine government to stop invoking sovereignty every time those in power wish to escape accountability under our international treaty obligations especially for gross human rights violations and crimes against

Remittances from overseas Filipinos seen to continue growing

by Ronnel W. Domingo Inquirer.net

MANILA — As the peso appreciates and approaches the 53:$1 territory, remittance firm WorldRemit sees a continued growth of inbound money transfers as overseas Filipinos face better job prospects.

The local currency closed on Friday, July 14 at 54.40:$1, strengthening against the greenback for the fourth straight day. It was the peso’s strongest showing in three months.

Data at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) show that last April, cash remittances from Filipinos abroad increased by 3.7 percent to $2.48 billion.

Earl Melivo, head of WorldRemit in the Asia-Pacific region, said in an interview with the Inquirer that remittances were poised to keep growing in the postpandemic global economy.

“This doesn’t affect remittances at all (because) the host countries (of overseas Filipinos) have already opened up or relaxed their restrictions, probably starting two years ago,” Melivo said What’s helping keep remittances growing is the continuing expansion of transfer made digitally, he added.

“In the last three years, we’ve seen rapid growth (in the use of) mobile wallets,” Melivo said. “One of the silver linings of this pandemic is we’re all forced to go digital. So even on the receiving side, those who used to receive via cash are now actually conveniently receiving them 24/7 through mobile wallets.”

Even then, he said bank transfers continued to be strong because banks were more flexible now more than ever.

“It’s quite easier for you to open a bank account now, [especially] digital ones,”

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Completed applications must be sent to the address shown on the application form via regular mail only, (no priority, certified, registered, express or overnight mail will be accepted).

Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified. Qualified applicants will be required to meet income guidelines and additional selection criteria.

The Fair Housing Act Prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, or financing of housing on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin. Federal law also prohibits discrimination on the basis of age. This apartment community does not discriminate on the basis of handicap/disability status. The management coordinates com compliance with the non-discrimination requirements contained in HUD’s Regulations implementing Section 504 (24 CFR part 8 dated June 2, 1988)

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BI sees 20% hike in tourist visa extensions with eServices

MANILA – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Tuesday, July 18 that tourist visa extensions may pose a 20 percent increase following the launching of its electronic services (eServices) platform.

In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the recently launched end-to-end eServices platform shall provide foreigners with convenient access to extension applications and payment services.

“We fully support the Department of Tourism’s drive to invite tourists to visit and stay longer in the Philippines. The recent launch of our online visa extension is a significant step to make it easy for foreign nationals to comply with BI policies and prevent them from overstaying,” he said.

Tansingco noted that the 20 percent projection may be felt in the next six months.

This is still in line with the administration’s thrust to boost tourism in the country with the help of government services’ digitalization.

According to the BI’s tourist visa section, over 91,000 tourists have already extended their visas for the first half of the year.

“This is a significant increase from July to December of last year when we only saw around 77,000 extensions,” tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio said.

Remigio emphasized that with the rollout of the eServices option, foreign nationals may either enjoy on-site or

Victims’ families...

PAGE 9

humanity,” said Renato Reyes Jr., president of BAYAN.

“It seems that when it comes to the question of human rights accountability, the current regime does not try to conceal how very much the same it is to the previous regime. No rebranding and no pretensions there of any sort. Just a firm commitment to the same brand of impunity of the past regime.”

Reyes is hopeful that Marcos Jr., in his second state of the nation address, will; declare that the Philippines will comply with its human rights obligations.

Bryony Lau, Deputy Assia Director for HRW, had a similar thing to say.

“The ICC appeals judges’ ruling marks the next step toward justice for victims and their families,” Lau said.

“The Marcos administration should follow through on its international legal obligation to cooperate with the court’s

investigation.”

Questions on jurisdiction

The ICC suspended its probe in November 2019 — still during the Duterte administration — after the Philippine government claimed that it would conduct its own inquiry into the deaths.

The pre-trial chamber resumed its probe last January after it claimed that the state had not adequately conducted its own investigation.

This prompted Philippine authorities to appeal the decision last March, insisting that the ICC had no jurisdiction over the country after Duterte withdrew Philippines from the Rome Statute last March 17, 2019. The ICC rejected this appeal. Article 127 of the Rome Statute clearly states the following: “A State shall not be discharged, by reason of its withdrawal, from the obligations arising from this Statute while it was a Party to the Statute.” g

online extension applications while waiting.

“With our streamlined operations, and with the management introducing online options, foreign nationals will definitely feel the change and improvements of our Bureau,” he added.

Besides the tourist visa extension features, the BI’s eServices also offers online access to the BI’s annual report, Republic Act 9225 dual citizenship principal application, emigration clearance certificate, visa waiver, and waiver of exclusion grounds.

Interested foreign nationals, meanwhile, desiring to apply may access these features via e-services immigration.gov.ph. (PNA)

PH, US troops hold air combat...

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 timesensitive 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

‘We’re victims of our own success’...

PREPS. The City Government of Davao starts the rehabilitation of the Kadayawan Tribal Village in Magsaysay Park on Tuesday, July 18 in preparation for the 38th Kadayawan Festival next month. As the festival’s main attraction, the village aims to showcase the culture of the 11 ethnolinguistic tribes of Davao – the Ata, Maguindanaon, Matigsalug, Bagobo Klata, Maranao, Obo Manuvu, Bagobo-Tagabawa, Tausug, Sama, Iranun, and Kagan. PNA

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 practices and the latest information pertaining to IAMD. (PNA)

Remittances from overseas Filipinos seen...

PAGE 9

Melivo said. “So we’re seeing a lot more volumes going to bank accounts in the Philippines.”

Citing WorldRemit analysis, he said the growth of Philippine-bound remittances this year would probably be about 3 percent or 4 percent, which agreed with the BSP’s own forecast.

“It highly depends on what happens in major economies, particularly in the United States where there were concerns of a

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 One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments will be created, which would serve as a single-point 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.”

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 Indo-Pacific region. Even India has changed its position regarding the arbitral award, saying it must be adhered to.

recession happening this year,” Melivo said.

“But even so, I think overseas Filipinos will keep on sending money especially because they are sending to their loved ones, whether they are immediate or extended family,” he said.

Melivo added that, because WorldRemit was a digital company bereft of costs that legacy players were faced with, the company expected to continue to see doubledigit growth in terms of volume. g

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 wide-ranging 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

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.

FESTIVAL

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in Manila on Citizen Pinoy

IN the second installment of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” leading U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel provides answers to several important immigration inquiries from Kapamilya in the Philippines.

Charlene was petitioned by her sister, but the priority date is 2007. She is worried that by the time the petition becomes current, her daughter might already age out. Can the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) help her daughter when that happens?

Miraflor plans to marry her U.S. citizen boyfriend and then move to the U.S. How can she bring her 25-year-old son with her?

Elizabeth’s petition from her mother was finally current in 2019, after waiting for 24 years. Sadly, her mother also died that same year. What happens to her petition?

Victoria’s 93-year-old mother is sick, so she wants to know if her 2005 petition can be expedited so she can take care of her mother.

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in Part 2 of “Your Tanong,

YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT PART 2 IN MANILA, PHILIPPINES. Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in Manila on Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” Among the questions Atty. Gurfinkel answers are –From Elizabeth (top left): After 24 years, our mother’s petition for us was finally current in 2019. Unfortunately, our mother died of cancer that same year. Can our father or siblings take over the petition?; From Victoria (top right): Can my 2005 petition be expedited so I can take care of my 93-year-old mother?; From Miraflor (bottom right): I plan to marry my U.S. citizen boyfriend soon. How can I bring my 25-year-old son to the U.S. with me?; From Charlene (bottom left): If my daughter ages out before my sister’s petition for me becomes current, will the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) be able to help? Tune in for the answers to these questions on Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” from Manila, on a brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 23 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

Health@Heart Sedentary death

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

ARE we on a suicide mission?

The way many of us abuse our body with bad diet, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, and other unhealthy behaviors, makes one wonder if we have locked in ourselves on a self-destruct mode or are we on a suicide mission. I have expounded on this in detail in my book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children” (amazon.com, www.philipSchua.com), a pre-emptive and proactive strategy on healthy lifestyle on a cellular level and disease prevention starting from the womb.

Inactivity is a major “disease” that kills millions upon millions around the world. It is a mindset, a bad habit, a lack of discipline. A sedentary lifestyle (lack of exercise) is worse than many individual maladies afflicting man today because it is a factor in most serious illnesses, like diabetes mellitus, heart attack, stroke, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, etc.

As a matter of fact, science has shown that physical activities, regimented daily exercises, lower the incidence, not only of those diseases listed above, but of depression and suicide, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. An active lifestyle also helps slow down the aging process, keeps our skin looking young(er), tones our muscles, enables us to have better metabolism and weight control, fortifies our immune system against diseases and infections, and even improves our outlook in life. Indeed, daily physical exercise also protects our mind – our entire body and being.

Professor Frank Booth, Ph.D. of the biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia, coined the term Sedentary Death Syndrome (SeDS) to dramatize the reality that “exercising is a matter of life and death.” That’s how important, essential, physical exercise is to the human organism. It is a dreadful fact but 70% of Americans today do not exercise regularly. Other less health-

conscious people around the world are obviously even worse. Just sitting around is a worldwide phenomenon. The World Health Organization last year reported that “about 2 million deaths annually worldwide are attributed to sedentary lifestyles.”

One of the subtitles of Professor Booth’s article is entitled ‘Dead Man Sitting.’ “Sitting kills more than 300,000 Americans annually…if SeDS were a real disease, that would make it the third leading cause of death in the United States, right after heart disease and cancer,” he stated. This inactivityrelated disorders affect nearly 75% of adult and children and is projected to cost the United States $1.5 trillion over the next ten years.

Is exercise essential?

Yes, very much so. To illustrate a point, let us exaggerate and consider a situation that is extreme: a person who is bedridden, a stroke victim or a quadriplegic, someone practically unable to move. What happens?

The muscles all over the body [begin to] atrophy and in most instances are replaced with fats, become flabby and lose bulk; the heart and lungs deteriorate, the circulation slows down, metabolism becomes impaired, the immune system declines, and the brain and all other organs function poorly. Humans, animals in general, were not meant to be vegetables. Physical activities are essential for cardiovascular fitness and fundamental to health.

Why is brisk walking better than jogging?

In the 60s and 70s, jogging was very popular as a form of exercise. However, there were significant attendant complications resulting from jogging, like injuries to feet, ankles, knees, hips, spine, etc. Studies in Sports and Cardiovascular Medicine two decades later showed that the cardiovascular benefits from brisk walking were the same as those derived from jogging, minus the many significant injuries which show as we grow older.

What is the target heart rate?

When exercising, the

heart rate normally speeds up. The heart rate that one wants to achieve with exercise is called Target Heart Rate (THR). Reaching this heart rate when exercising means maximum benefit is being derived from the physical activity. To compute your THR, subtract your age from 220. Example: the THR of someone who is 50 years old is 220 minus 50, or 170. When exercising, one tries to reach his/ her THR, so long as no symptoms occur, like chest pains or tightness of the chest, dizziness, or fainting. Some expected shortness of breath is normal, which should subside with rest. Among the elderly and those on medications, adjustments need to be made. The best thing to do before embarking on an exercise regimen is to consult your physician, who will advise you accordingly, and prescribe what is best for you.

How many calories are burned by exercise?

For a 150-pound (about 68-kilo) person, doing the following for one hour burns the corresponding amount of calories indicated here: walking 2 mph, 240 calories; walking 4.5 mph, 440; jogging 7 mph, 920; bicycling 6 mph, 240; bicycling 12mph, 410; jumping rope, 750; running in place, 660; running 10 mph, 1,280; swimming 25 yards per minute, 275; tennis, singles, 400. For half an hour of non-stop fast dancing (like swing or boogie), 200 calories; and, in contrast, for a 30-minute foreplay and actual sex, only 90 calories are burned, believe it or not. Obviously, we cannot rely on sexercise.

What is the minimum recommended?

The American College of Sports Medicine has the following minimum exercise recommendation for healthy men and women: Frequency: one hour, 3-5 days a week. It appears that exercising beyond an hour does not confer added cardiovascular benefit and only increases the stress to the heart, joints, and muscles.

Exercise in a pill?

Scientists have identified a drug that mimics the effects of exercise on muscle and bone in mice,

Atty. Gurfinkel answers...

PAGE 11

My Sagot” in Manila. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday,

July 23 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET through select Cable/ Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo.

Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Ilocos Norte in spotlight as Fiesta

In America’s featured destination

WHITE-SAND beaches uncrowded with hordes of tourists. Sand dunes that invite all-terrain joy rides. Soaring wind farms that overlook the sky-blue sea. These, and more, are Ilocos Norte’s natural and manmade wonders that seem to ask the jaded traveler, “Are you in?” The northern Luzon province gleams so much like an uncut gem, and offers still-undiscovered treasures for visitors, that it was selected by Fiesta In America as the festival’s Featured Destination among the Philippines’ tourist havens.

On Saturday, August 20 from 10am in Court A of New Jersey’s American Dream Mall, Fiesta In America will mark its 26th year as the biggest annual indoor Filipino event on the east coast. And because leisure travel is one of the main themes this year (the others being Philippine investment opportunities and a Street Food Fiesta), Ilocos Norte was a shoo-in as the festival organizers’ choice for a Philippine destination to be showcased.

“Ilocos Norte checked all the boxes for us,” said Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America’s President and CEO. “It may not be on top of most travelers’ minds at the moment, but the province has the makings of the next tourism hot spot that may even rival Palawan and Boracay with sufficient public awareness. We are pleased to unveil Ilocos Norte as Fiesta In America’s must-see destination for Fil-Am tourists and visitors of all stripes.”

Governor Matthew Manotoc’s administration has stepped up its promotion of local visitor attractions that are gaining traction in the travel industry. Ilocos Norte’s prime destinations include Saud Beach in Pagudpud; Suba Sand Dunes in Paoay; the wind farms in Burgos, Pagudpud and Bangui, the latter being the country’s first wind-power generation plant; Kapurpurawan Rock Formation; Cape Bojeador Lighthouse; and St. Augustine Church in Paoay, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites in the Philippines. The marketing catch-phase “Ilocos Norte: I’m In!” justifies the buzz about the province.

For international travelers who put a premium on modern amenities, the 77-hectare Fort Ilocandia beckons with its hotel, resort and casino. The Spanish-Moroccan villa was designed by architect Jorge Ramos and built by the Philippine Tourism Authority in 1983. Golf aficionados, meanwhile, can indulge in

their favorite sport at the superb course on Paoay Lake, which was designed by the legendary golfer and course designer Gary Player.

Aside from learning about Ilocos Norte as Featured Destination, Fiesta In America’s attendees will be treated to an extravaganza of Filipino music and folk dances, a concert featuring singer-actress Tuesday Vargas among Philippines-based stars and New York-area artists, a santacruzan in full dress regalia that starts at 10am, franchising and other local investment opportunities, native products galore, a Street Food Fiesta, and multicultural performers. The festival will be complemented by its annual community tribute gala, the People’s Ball, which will be held on Sunday, August 13 starting at 12noon at the Marriott Liberty International Airport Hotel in Newark, NJ.

To sponsor, exhibit, advertise or attend Fiesta In America (August 19) and the People’s Ball (August 13), call 212-6826610 or email info@fiestainameica.com. Other event details are available at www. fiestainamerica.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers questions of Kapamilya from Manila – Charlene Mariano (left) and Miraflor Mirasol (right).

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel is shown here with Elizabeth Sherman (left photo) and with Victoria Bertiz (right photo).

Ilocos Norte Governor Matthew Marcos Manotoc

Sedentary death...

without any negative effects on surrounding tissues. It even reinvigorates muscles and bone and joints. The drug is Locamidazole (LAMPZ), according to the Tokyo Medical and Dental University. But it is not a substitute for physical exercise; it augments it, just like Viagra for men being second only to the natural sex hormones in our teen-years and in our twenties.

If you will excuse me, it’s time for my Tai-Bo, the hottest low-impact entirebody workout to hit this century, an exercise that could be done anywhere, anytime, with no gadget required. Just your body. * * *

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician,

who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.

* * *

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

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Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, bestowed by then Indiana Governor, later a Senator, and a presidential candidate, the Honorable Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Websites: FUN8888. com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

‘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

Multi-awarded singer-actress Lea Salonga

Cristopher Retokelly Carpila.

In the video, Lea politely declined taking pictures with them because she’s in her dressing room and they are not in the guest list.

Philstar.com photo 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

“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. g

From Tragedy to Triumph: The Inspiring Story of Terrace Plant Shop Owner Peter Dario shares

their best-selling plants

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

IN the face of the pandemic’s overwhelming challenges, people around the world found solace and support in an unexpected place - the embrace of nature. As lockdowns and uncertainties took hold, a global movement emerged, turning to the nurturing power of plants for comfort and healing. From urban apartments to countryside homes, planting became more than a hobby; it became a lifeline for individuals seeking respite from loss, stress, and isolation.

Terrace Plant Shop, a symbol of hope and resilience, emerged from a personal tragedy two years ago. Peter Dario, the proud Filipino-American owner, shared his story with the Asian Journal, recounting the emotional journey that led to the creation of Terrace Plant Shop. Despite initial doubts, Peter opened the business as a therapeutic outlet, not knowing if it would succeed.

“To be honest, I didn’t think we were gonna make it. I just opened this business up emotionally so I wasn’t sure if it was going to work out. I didn’t really think much about it, all I knew was that it was therapeutic.”

The inspiration for Terrace Plant Shop arose during a challenging period in Peter’s life. In March 2020, his father and grandfather tragically passed away from COVID-19, leaving his family devastated. Seeking solace, they turned to plants, which had always brought them joy and comfort. Interestingly, Peter had never taken an interest in plants until the pandemic forced them to confront loss and heartbreak.

“It’s amazing how something as simple as a plant can bring so much joy and happiness to people’s lives,” Peter remarked. “We’re grateful to be able to share that with our customers.”

He has also ventured into selling candles and plant-related home items.

The Dario family’s story resonated with many people, turning Terrace Plant Shop into a symbol of resilience and healing for those who experienced loss during the pandemic. The shop serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can bloom.

Peter remains optimistic

about the future and hopes to expand the business.

“A little backstory about me - I was a barber for eight years. I still cut hair now and I do house calls now,” he shared. Most of his house calls back are in Westfield so when he drives around, he is on the lookout for the right spot or if something suddenly

opened up. Opening the shop in Metuchen two years ago took a natural progression. Dario lives in the next town, which is a few minutes away. It was a wine and paint shop that closed down because of the pandemic so when he saw the location open up, he knew it was going to be the future home of Terrace.

They have also collaborated with corporate clients, such as restaurants, cafes, art galleries, hospitals, and luxury apartment buildings.

Terrace Plant Shop and the business continue to evolve. Aside from plants, he has added new products such as soil, organic fertilizers, potting mixes, planters, and home goods such as candles.

“I want to bring more home stuff into the shop to complement the plants,” he said.

The bestseller list

Peter revealed that among the hundreds of plants they sell, the Monstera Adansonia takes the top spot. This beautiful and exotic plant, known for its large heartshaped leaves, captivates plant enthusiasts with its unique shape and size.

Another bestseller is the Pilea Peperomioides, also known as the “Friendship Plant.” Its circular leaves grow on long, thin stems, and it is a low-maintenance plant

Peter John Dario, who lost his father and grandfather to COVID-19 in 2020, found healing and comfort in the company of plants. His shop Terrace Plant Shop is now a testament to the young Filipino-American’s inspiring journey.

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

In the suburban town of Metuchen, New Jersey is a plant business called Terrace Plant Shop that has turned into a symbol of resilience and healing for those who experienced loss during the pandemic. The shop serves as a reminder that even in the darkest times, hope can bloom.

15

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

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

RICKY Rivero, former teen star turned actorfilmmaker, 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 actor-filmmaker’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 followup post, where he thanked Rivero for his love through the years.

“Asawa pahinga kana wala kanang sakit na mararamdaman. Salamat sa isang taong pagsasama,

Stunning $75K Miss Filipina International 2023 crown revealed

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

isang taong [pag-aaway] isang taong kasiyahan. madaming salamat sa lahat asawa. mahal na mahal kita Ricky S Rivero (Rest 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.” g

From Tragedy to...

PAGE 14

that thrives in low light and requires infrequent watering. Its appealing appearance makes it popular among both new and experienced plant owners.

Completing the bestselling trio at Terrace Plant Shop is the Aglaonema, also called the “Chinese Evergreen,” and the Money Tree believed to bring good luck and prosperity. The Aglaonema’s leaves come in various shades of green with unique patterns, while the Money Tree is a favored gift for housewarming and birthdays. Both plants are easy to care for and thrive in low light and high humidity.

Terrace Plant Shop also offers workshops on creating terrariums. These interactive sessions can be conducted both on-site and off-site, catering to various interests and events. They have even hosted corporate meetings and team-building seminars, teaching participants the art of crafting terrariums.

Peter emphasized their commitment to quality by handpicking all the plants they sell. They prioritize growing the plants themselves rather than relying on shipments to ensure they are disease-free and undamaged. Currently, their plants are cultivated in Florida, Long Island, and Patterson.

Whether someone is a passionate plant enthusiast, searching for the perfect gift, or simply looking to introduce greenery into their surroundings, Terrace Plant Shop offers a wide variety of plants suited to different levels of care and attention. g

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

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

The Romania-born and raised Pheres, who was appointed in 2018 by Her Royal Highness, Princess Olga Romanoff, as the official jewelry supplier, described her inspiration in making the crown.

She said, “I live in Hong Kong and so I travel to the Philippines a lot. When I go to the Philippines, I pay a lot of attention to the nature around me. So, to complement the country, there are elements of sea pearls, the beautiful blue ocean and ideas of pineapple as well. If you pay attention more, you will see many of these elements that will bring you back to the Philippines.”

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

The most challenging, she added, was coming up with the design. “I wanted a royal influence but for the modern

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

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

“This is the first time that I have designed a crown for a

to compete next year in Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) while two winners will vie in The Miss Philippines pageant. The following are the MFI official candidates, listed by their numbers (randomly drawn by the contestants in a raffle) in the pageant:

1. Hannah Pearcey

2. Matea Mahal Smith

3. Alexia Reign Hernandez

4. Jesse Grace Felix Soriano

5. Ella Del Rosario

6. Rylen Faith Steinbuch

7. Brooke Barredo

8. Claudia Vidanes

9. Denisse Nicole Samaniego

10. Patricia Bianca Tapia

11. Janessa Gwen Rubio

12. Amanda Russo

13. Keilin Danao Tankiamco

14. Alyanna Joelle Santos

15. Katie Sophia McIlroy

16. Sandra Irene Goff

17. Aira Lei Maigue

18. Angelique De la Cruz

19. Princess Caventa Reyes

20. Katie Wadman

21. Mia Valdes

22. Alexandria Bollier

23. Heather Casigna

24. Lauren Skeoch

25. Hope Corpus

26. Hannah Angelica Marte

27. Samantha Gavin

28. Sarah Lizaso Obal

29. Beatriz Mclelland

30. Jessica Zemanek

31. Bryanna Vasquez

32. Aliza Orjalo

33. Ronniedith Dimapasoc

34. Skylar Vasquez

35. Dakota Swart

36. Kelly McIlroy

37. Kawena Janessa Kanhai

38. Sabrina Pajarillo

39. Mary Ann Monda

beauty pageant,” Pheres said. “Most of the time, I do royal crowns and tiaras as well. I specialize in royal jewelry and have done four or five crowns.”

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

The 41 MFI candidates represent various states across America and several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the Philippines. They will vie for these titles: Miss Filipina International; Miss Tourism; First Runner-up; Second Runner-up; and Third Runnerup.

Jimenez also announced that in partnership with Jonas Gaffud’s Empire Philippines, three winners will be eligible

40. Issha Rose Mata

41. Tia Mailani Bustamante

In addition to the previously announced top prize of a BMW 3 Series car, the winner will also receive a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills. Other prizes include $5,000 cash and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin for Miss Tourism; a $2,500 cash prize and a $5,000 gift certificate from iSkin for each of the First, Second and Third Runners-up.

MFI’s sponsors include Philippine Airlines, BMW, Jojo Bragais Shoes, Narcisa Pheres, iSkin Beverly Hills, Biaggi Luggage, Bell Beachwear, The Beverly Hilton, See’s Candies Manila, FlexPro Meals and Celsius Beverages. For sponsorship inquiries, email: missfilipinainternational@ gmail.com.

(Advertising Supplement)

WMEC board chair Geoffrey Jimenez

Photo by Ken Hugh

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

Photo courtesy of MFI

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

Ricky Rivero

Photo from Facebook/Ricky S Rivero