072123 - San Francisco Edition

The heat is on: California ramps up coping strategies

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.

Extreme heat can kill

Two days before, OCPSC had launched

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 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

President Marcos signs Maharlika law

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has vowed that the Philippines’ first-ever sovereign wealth fund will be “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 post-pandemic 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 broadbased empowerment,” Marcos said.

“We now have an available fund that will provide us the seed money for investments and to attract

Probe into Duterte ‘drug war’ resumes as ICC rejects Philippines’ bid to block it

by GAEA KATREENA CABICO Philstar.com

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.

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

MANILA – The 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 Wednesday, July 19, the first division of Supreme Court ruled that the petition for review to reverse the Sandiganbayan’s ruling lacked merit.

The petition was submitted by the 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 disap-

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 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

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 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.

‘Duterte-Xi talks meeting between friends’ – Marcos

by KRISTINA MARALIT ManilaTimes.net

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 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.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos’ oathtaking on Thursday 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. Inquirer.

‘Duterte-Xi talks meeting between...

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

SC upholds dismissal of over P1 billion...

pointing 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 duty-free 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.

President Marcos signs Maharlika...

PAGE 1

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.

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 anti-graft 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. g

“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 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 government-

owned 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)

IT’S DONE. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., surrounded by government officials, signs the Maharlika bill in Malacañang on Tuesday, July 18, 2023. ManilaTimes.net photo by Rene H. Dilan

Marcos on SONA: We have made significant...

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.”

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 AntiAgricultural Smuggling Act and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinasendorsed 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 on 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 (July 21), 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

Probe into Duterte ‘drug war’ resumes...

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 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 Haguebased 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.”

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

The heat is on: California ramps up...

PAGE 1

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 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

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

Fil-Am community leader Jessica Caloza launches...

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 forwardthinking 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 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 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). g

Probe into Duterte ‘drug war’ resumes...

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

The heat is on: California ramps up...

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.

of agricultural workers, acknowledging that most are undocumented and therefore less likely to challenge employers about substandard working conditions.

Valley, where in a single decade there was a 53% increase in heat-related emergency department visits and hundreds of deaths.

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

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

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

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)

Jessica Caloza Contributed photo

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, 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 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, 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

’Majority of Pinoys want US-PH military partnership in West Philippine Sea’

by cecille Suerte FeliPe Philstar.com

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 the data, during an interview with dzBB on Sunday, July 16. “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

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

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

BABE ROMUALDEZ

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 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’

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

the city’s rising prosperity.

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

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

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 were

citizens of Makati. 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

Duterte ‘shrugs off’ ICC ruling, says former spokesman

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

FORMER President Rodrigo Duterte "has shrugged off" the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to junk the Philippine government's appeal to stop its investigation into the war on drugs under his administration.

"FPRRD has always maintained that as an independent and sovereign state, only Philippine courts can try any crime committed in Philippine territory," Duterte's mouthpiece and former Malacañang executive Harry Roque said in a statement.

"He has time and again said that because of this, he will face

all his accusers anytime but before Philippine courts and before Filipino judges only," said Roque, a lawyer. ICC presiding judge Marc Perrin de Brichambaut on Tuesday, July 18 said that three of the five judges had rejected the Philippines' arguments, despite the country's withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2018, while two others, including de Brichambaut himself, dissented.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has also been insistent that the ICC has no legal right to conduct any investigation as the Philippines is no longer part of the Rome Statute and "does not need any assistance from an outside entity" to prosecute

and persecute the purported extrajudicial crimes related to the government's campaign against narcotics. 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 20232.

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

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

Former President Rodrigo Duterte Manilatimes.net file photo

‘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 dressing room and they are not in the guest list.

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.

“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.

Dingdong: Being busy is good

by JERRY DONATO Philstar.com

DINGDONG Dantes views his Amazing Earth host persona as a storyteller of tales about our planet and the animal kingdom, plus inspiring narratives about individuals. Before the audience gets hold of the awe-inspiring, informative and entertaining features, the actor sees them first-hand.

“I’m really the first one (or one of the first persons) who gets to witness or becomes the witness to all these stories,” said Dingdong when The STAR asked him about such unique position of him as the face and voice of the weekend show in a recent virtual media conference.

Since Amazing Earth always offers new stories, it excites him no end in sharing them to viewers and makes him anticipate every working day.

“Gusto ko ma-excite ako dahil gusto ko ma-excite din parati ang manonood (I want to feel excited, so that the viewers will always have that feeling of excitement),” added he.

Among the featured amazing stories is the story of a kababayan, who has toured the country extensively and seen the beauty of 1,634 Philippine cities and municipalities. This is part of the Amazing Earth’s three-part fifth-anniversary special, which aired on July 14. Yes, Dingdong’s infotainment show will now be seen Friday nights. It serves as the jumping-off point for viewers to watch other GMA 7 weekend programs and signals them to enjoy adventure-filled weekends.

Almost same time last year, Dingdong was seen hosting the game show, Family Feud, aside from Amazing Earth, and acting with wife Marian Rivera in the sitcom, Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa.

Fast forward to now, he has Amazing Earth, and plays the loving single dad and illegitimate son of a business tycoon role in the primetime weeknight murder mystery drama Royal Blood. He and Marian have been tapped to star in the romance-drama, Rewind, announced recently as one of the first four official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

“Yes, I think I’m busier now (as compared to last year),” said he, “busiest ever sa buong buhay

ko. For me, being busy is good. Ang pinaka-mahalaga dyan ay hindi ako nawawalan ng oras para sa pamilya, yan naman ang pinaka-mahalaga dyan (What’s most important is I have time for my family). I fulfill my responsibilities properly na walang naaapektuhan. At siyempre, nagagawa ko ang lahat nang yun na masaya ako. I really love what I do, I love my job here in the network.”

That speaks of how passionate Dingdong is about hosting and acting. He considers this surge of blessings as coincidental.

“Feeling ko nagkataon lang na nagkasabay-sabay talaga (I feel it just happened that they presented themselves almost at the same time).”

As a creative, Dingdong indeed offers different forms of entertainment to diverse audiences.

“Yes, sa mismong proseso kasi na ginagawa ko sa trabaho ko, eh gusto ko siya kaya kahit na busy, kahit na, siyempre aminin mo na kahit papaano napapagod ka rin, eh na-e-enjoy ko yung ginagawa ko (With the work process that I do, I enjoy it even if I’m busy and admittedly, I get tired sometimes),” shared he. “And importantly, it helps me grow as an artist, like what I’ve mentioned, you know being part of Amazing Earth as a storyteller also helps me grow as a citizen of this world because of the many things I’ve learned every week.”

Again, Dingdong is excited about his MMFF movie with Marian. A quick rewind tells one that he won the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor awards for two years in a row, in 2011 and 2012

for his sterling performances in Segunda Mano and One More Try, respectively. Given such feat in the annual filmfest, is scoring another acting award crossing his mind this early?

“Isa lang talaga ang nasa objective namin nung nag-decide kaming mag-asawa na gawin ito and that is really to celebrate cinema (There’s one objective we had in mind when me and my wife decided to do the movie, that is really to celebrate cinema),” answered Dingdong.

“Sana bumalik ang ating mga manonood sa loob ng mga theaters dahil, you know, ito yung oras para makita natin ulit at ma-showcase yung kagalingan ng Pinoy sa pagkwento dito naman sa larangan ng pelikula (I hope many moviegoers will go to the theater since this is the time to see again and showcase the Pinoy creativity and greatness in the field of filmmaking). We’re very happy for this story that we’re going to do and show to everyone, yun na muna. Yun ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, makwento namin ng maayos ito at maibalik ang mga tao sa sinehan (What’s most important is to tell the film narrative well and encourage people to watch films in cinemas).”

Dingdong was elated to learn that MMFF received a lot of script submissions, in fact 26 total entries, this year. From this number, Rewind; A Mother and Son’s Story, a family-drama with Sharon Cuneta and Alden Richards in the leading roles; (K)AMPON, a horror-thriller that features Beauty Gonzales and Derek Ramsay; and Penduko, an action-fantasy with Cristine Reyes and Matteo Guidicelli, were selected.

“For me, that’s a very, very good indicator, especially sa mga producers na willing talagang tumaya di ba? Para mabigyan tayo ng maraming, maraming magagandang kwento (that there are producers who are willing to take a chance and take a risk in giving us many well-crafted stories to watch).”

Aside from TV and movie work, Dingdong, along with Marian, will also join fellow Kapuso artists Alden, Christian Bautista and Lani Misalucha for a show in Dubai. This is another way for DongYan to touch base with fans and fellow Pinoys abroad.

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, or 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

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.

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 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.

“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 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.

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

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

Sharon and daughter Miel encourage Filipinos to dream big

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.

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 what with top-tier magazines, from Elle and Instyle to Bazaar and Vogue, also featuring her.

To brands, Evangelista's face  PAGE 9

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’ self-acceptance 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 in-

spired 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.

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

Pinky Amador

GMA photo

Dingdong Dantes Photo from instagram/@dongdantes

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

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

FYLPRO announces summer 2023 class of Tayo fellows

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

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

The 2023 Tayo Fellows are:

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

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

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

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

• Angela Rose David (she/her) – Los Angeles, CA

• Angelica Ahmann (she/her) – Madison, WI

• Ania Ty (she/her) – Washington, DC

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

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

• Dasha Pates (she/her) – Aurora, IL

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Katrina Manrique (she/her) – Los Angeles, CA

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

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

• Lily Varilla (she/her) – Madison, WI

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

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

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

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

This program will allow our fellows to participate in various projects, research, events, and professional development opportunities. Some projects include web content writing, event planning, organizational development, surveys and research, audio and video production, and misinformation and disinformation tracking. These projects will directly relate to focus areas the Tayo fellows are interested in, including civic engagement and policy, solidarity across communities, mental health, and public health and health disparities.

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

“As a former Tayo fellow, I’m excited to rejoin the fellowship and support this summer’s programming.

I’m thrilled to welcome the largest cohort of Tayo

fellows, each bringing unique backgrounds and experiences that will contribute to our reflective discussions and purposeful projects. I can’t wait to witness the incredible synergy among this inspiring cohort of Fil-Am leaders from all corners of the country,” said Joed Garbo.

“I’m excited to see how this year’s group of bright, talented leaders will shape Tayo’s vital work,” said Sarah Mae Dizon, FYLPRO Tayo Fellowship Manager and former fellow from the 2020 cohort. “The diversity in this year’s cohort will certainly help us address the unique, nuanced needs of Filipina/o communities across the country and the diaspora.”

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

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

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

answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in Manila on Citizen Pinoy

Heart opens global doors...

PAGE 8

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)

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

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

Sedentary death

disease, that would make it the third leading cause of death in the United States, right after heart disease and cancer,” he stated. This inactivity-related 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 68kilo) 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, 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 entire-body workout to hit this century, an exercise that could be done anywhere, anytime, with no gadget required. Just your body.

* * *

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

* *

*

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

Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration...

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, 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)

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

Stunning $75K Miss Filipina International 2023 crown revealed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Owner of the Pheres brand and creative director of Narcisa Pheres Fine Jewelry which she started in 2006 in Japan, she expanded her line of one-of-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 beauty pageant,” Pheres said. “Most of the time, I do royal crowns and tiaras as well. I specialize in royal jewelry and have done four or five crowns.”

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

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

Jimenez also announced that in partnership with Jonas Gaffud’s Empire Philippines, three winners will be eligible to compete next year in Miss Universe Philippines (MUP) while two winners will vie in The Miss Philippines pageant.

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

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.

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).

WMEC board chair Geoffrey Jimenez

Photo by Ken Hugh Narcisa Pheres is owner of the Pheres brand and creative director of Narcisa Pheres Fine Jewelry.

Photo courtesy of MFI

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