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JULY 22-28, 2022 Volume 15 - No.37 • 16 Pages

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PH Govt to bolster booster campaign DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Boost now or wait?

Many wonder how best to ride out COVID’s next wave GWYNETH Paige didn’t want to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at first.

With her health issues — hypertension, fibromyalgia, asthma — she wanted to see how other people fared after the shots. Then her mother got colon cancer.

“At that point, I didn’t care if the vaccine killed me,” she said. “To be with my mother throughout her journey, I had to have the vaccination.”

Paige, who is 56 and lives in Detroit, has received three doses. That leaves her one booster short of federal health recommendations.

by RED

MENDOZA ManilaTimes.net

THE government will launch a major campaign to improve booster coverage that targets at least 23 million more Filipinos starting next week, the Department of Health (DoH) said.

Called “Pinas Lakas,” the new campaign will be launched on July 26, with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. taking the lead in convincing Filipinos to get their booster shots.

DoH Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said the program aims to administer boosters to 90 percent of senior citizens and 50 percent of the target population in the remaining 80 days of the first 100 days of the new administration.

“Instead of a wider vaccination rollout, we will instead reach out to the communities so that we could increase the vaccine take-up,” Vergeire said in a briefing in Manila.

She added that the campaign will target around 397,000 doses of vaccines per day to

 PAGE 2

Acting Health Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire.

Photo by John Ryan Valdemor

Marcos invites Filipinos to listen to first SONA

by ALEXIS

ROMERO Philstar.com

 PAGE 7

MEN AT WORK. Workers install rail line tracks of the Metro Rail Transit- Line 7 (MRT-7) along Don Antonio Road in front of St. Peter Parish Church on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Monday, July 18. MRT-7 will have 14 stations, 10 of which will be elevated.

PNA photo by

MANILA — President Marcos has invited Filipinos to listen to his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25, where he will discuss his key policies and priorities as the country’s 17th Chief Executive.

“Nalalapit na ang ating pinaka-unang State of the Nation Address (Our first SONA is approaching),” Marcos said in a Facebook post published last Sunday, July 17.

“Samahan niyo po ako at pakinggan ang estado ng ating bansa at ang mga plano at mithiin natin bilang isang sambayanan para sa mga susunod na taon (Join me and listen as I talk about the state of our country and our plans and aspirations as a nation in the succeeding years),” he added.

The Philippine National Police said it was able to procure P764.115-million worth of new equipment, which will be given to its units nationwide.

Photo from Facebook / PNP

 PAGE 4

US House agrees to block aid Philanthropists, 9 others receive Sen. Padilla blames to PNP until PH meets basic Gawad Alab ng Lahi Award opposition for ‘baseless’ human rights standards NEW YORK—A Filipina lawyer- Hiraya Foundation for Filipino-

US law blocking PNP aid

MANILA — Senator Robin Padilla on Tuesday, July 19 blamed the opposition for the “baseless” move by United States (U.S.) lawmakers to block the aid for the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The U.S. House of Representatives has green-lighted amendments to a law that would hinder aid to the PNP unless actions

 PAGE 4

by XAVE

GREGORIO Philstar.com

MANILA — The House of Representatives of the United States has agreed on an amendment to a defense spending measure blocking aid, including equipment and training, to the Philippine National Police until the Philippines

is deemed to have met basic human rights standards.

The amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act for 2023, introduced by Rep. Susan Wild (D-Pennsylvania) and adopted by the US House

 PAGE 2

philanthropist seeking a cure for a rare degenerative disease that afflicts Visayan men and an American businessmanphilanthropist who helped bring the Balanggiga Bells back to the Philippines were among 11 individuals, organizations, and enterprises that were honored last week by the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the

American Heritage Preservation.

Also honored in the first-ever Gawad Alab ng Lahi: Pagkilala sa Mga Natatanging Dangal ng Lahing Pilipino held at the Whitby Theater in Manhattan were Filipino nurses who have been tirelessly serving in the frontline against COVID-19 and veterans seeking recognition for Filipino World War II veterans.

 PAGE 4

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US House agrees to block aid Boracay, Palawan and Cebu to PNP until PH meets basic... hailed World’s Best Islands PAGE 1 through a voice vote, provides that no funding will be made available to the State Department for assistance to the PNP until the Secretary of State certifies that the Philippines has: • Investigated and successfully prosecuted police who violated human rights, ensured that they cooperated with judicial authorities in such cases, and affirmed that such violations have ceased • Established that the Philippine National Police effectively protects the rights of trade unionists, journalists, human rights defenders, government critics, religious leaders and other civil society activists to operate without interference • Taken effective steps to guarantee a judicial system that is capable of investigating, prosecuting and bringing to justice members of the police and military who have committed human rights abuses • Fully complied with domestic and U.S. audits and investigations regarding the improper use of prior security assistance “The time is long overdue to begin putting some basic human rights guardrails in place in the United States-Philippines relationship,” Wild said in her remarks on the House floor.

She said that those who oppose her proposal would raise the U.S.’ national security interests against China, but she countered that there is a need to maintain credibility on human rights issues.

“The need to counter the Chinese regime’s authoritarianism on the international stage

is precisely why it’s so important that we maintain our credibility on human rights. It is why it is so vital that we do not undermine our own case for democracy and open ourselves up to charges of hypocrisy by supporting brutal regimes out of short term expediency,” she said.

Wild’s amendment, however, included a waiver that would give the U.S. president leeway to provide the PNP with assistance for up to 180 days provided that: • The foreign affairs panel of the U.S. House and the foreign relations panel of the U.S. Senate is informed not later than 15 days before the effectivity of the waiver • The waiver is vital to the national security interests of the United States or its partners and allies The amendment to the defense spending bill borrows language from the proposed Philippine Human Rights Act which Wild also introduced in 2020 and refiled the following year.

According to the U.S. Embassy, the Philippines is the largest recipient of military assistance from the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific region, having received more than P57 billion worth of planes, armored vehicles, small arms and other military equipment.

Defense assistance to the Philippines from the U.S. continues despite adverse findings by the State Department in its latest report on the human rights situation in the country, where it flagged extrajudicial killings, forced disappearance, torture, arbitrary detention and harsh prison conditions. g

DOT celebrates back-to-back accolades for PHL destinations

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) applauded the naming of the country’s three island destinations among “The 25 Best Islands in the World” by the New York-based travel magazine Travel + Leisure (T+L).

Boracay Island featuring its postcard-perfect sunset ranked 9th in the T+L World’s Best Island list, followed by Palawan at 11th with a photo of an idyllic lagoon in El Nido, and Cebu at 16th with Taoist Temple, in Cebu City.

According to T+L, readers were asked to “weigh in on travel experiences around the globe — to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines, and more. Readers rated islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness, and overall value.”

“The Philippines is truly blessed with the unrivaled beauty of our natural resources coupled by the warmth and endless talent of the Filipinos manifested in this citation of Travel + Leisure that included our Cebu, Palawan, and Boracay in their prestigious list,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said.

Boracay and Palawan also topped T+L’s 5 Best Islands in Asia alongside Phuket, Thailand, Bali, Indonesia,

El Nido, Palawan

Inquirer.net file photo

and The Maldives. “Travel + Leisure readers fondly recalled pre-COVID-era visits to the best islands in Asia. Now that the region is reopening, they’re surely eager to return to these five ports of call, including the islands of the Maldives, as well as those found in Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.”, stated T + L. “We express our heartfelt gratitude and congratulations to all tourism stakeholders from the public and private sector, the national and local government units, the efforts of the previous administration included, and all the hardworking employees and officials of the Department across the country for forging forward amidst the challenges of the pandemic and contributing in their own ways so our country may earn the title as one of the most beautiful

in the world. The natural beauty of a country can truly shine through when we are united in heralding our best qualities,” Frasco added.

The Philippines among the 40 Most Beautiful Countries The Philippines concurrently was named among “The 40 Most Beautiful Countries in the World” by lifestyle travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CNT).

The country is accompanied in the list by other countries such as Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, and the United States of America, among others.

Manila among the Top Cities in the World Meanwhile, the City of Manila ranked 34th in Time Out’s list of best cities in the world.

The ranking comes as a result of a survey among city-

u PAGE 10

PH Govt to bolster booster campaign...

PAGE 1 reach 39 million boosted individuals before the end of the administration’s first 100 days in October.

So far, 71.4 million have received their primary series, and 15.7 million have received their booster shots.

The campaign comes as the country continues to report additional subvariant cases, with 816 new detections of the highly infectious BA.5 subvariant, 42 additional BA.4 and 52 additional BA.2.12.1 cases in the country.

COVID-19 weekly cases continue to rise as well, with an average of 2,259 cases reported on average during the week ending July 19, of which, 900 cases were reported in Metro Manila alone.

Vergeire said that even with the sustained increase in COVID-19 cases and admissions in hospitals, most of them remain mild and asymptomatic.

She added that while Omicron in general does not lead to a severe disease, some fully vaccinated individuals who have not yet received their booster shots may experience severe symptoms due to the variant.

“Let us remember that since Omicron arrived in the country, it has affected our vaccines, that is why we are urging everyone to receive their boosters because if you receive your first booster shots, the decreased protection from Omicron will increase by as much as 85 percent,” Vergeire said.

She said that the DoH is now studying the possibility of redefining the status of fully vaccinated to include those who received their booster shots. But she added that this will be studied at the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases level.

The official said that there is a possibility that restrictions will be lessened once the “wall of immunity” due to vaccinations have been reached, but there is no final consensus yet on which restrictions will be loosened.

Meanwhile, Vergeire has appointed DoH Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago of the Field Implementation and Coordination Team as the new incident manager of the National Vaccination Operations Center, while OIC Undersecretary Beverly Lorraine Ho will be the deputy spokesman. n

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From the Front Page

Philanthropists, 9 others receive...

CABLE REPLACEMENT. Meralco Industrial Engineering Services Corporation linemen install new electric cables along Batasan-San Mateo Road in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 19. The Energy Regulatory Commission has directed Meralco to refund distribution-related charges amounting to P21.8 billion or 87 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential customers. PNA photo

Padilla blames...

PAGE 1 are taken to investigate alleged human rights abuses by the police in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Padilla, an Army Captain in the Reserve Force, said that uniformed personnel had upheld human rights.

Padilla was the Army Captain in the Reserve Force in 2019.

In July 2020, he was elected as the Philippine Army MultiSectoral Advisory Board Strategic Communication Committee chairperson.

“Witness ako nito sa pagiging makatao ng AFP at ng PNP… Hindi po ako nagsisinungaling sa inyo, mga mahal kong kababayan. Kung meron akong nakikitang mali na ginagawa ng PNP o AFP o anumang sangay sa gobyerno na may kinalaman sa human rights, ako po ang unang unang magsasalita at magsasabi sa inyo,” he said in an interview on Sonshine Media Network International.

(I have witnessed the respect the AFP and PNP show for human rights. I will not lie, my beloved fellow Filipinos. If I see human rights violations by the PNP, AFP, or any branch of government, I will call them out.)

“Pero sa tagal ko po, ako nagtrabaho mahigit isang taon sa AFP, kitang kita ko ang paggalang ng naka-uniporme sa civilian,” he continued.

(I have worked for more than a year in the AFP. I have seen how our men and women in uniform respect human rights.)

Padilla urged the opposition to stop politicking and heed President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call to unite.

“Hindi ko naintindihan kung saan nanggaling ito, kung saan humuhugot ang opposition sa banat-banat na puro human rights violations,” he said.

(I do not understand where this is coming from, where the opposition pulls criticisms about human rights violations.)

“Ang hinihiling lang namin sa inyo, hindi ito ang oras na maging masyado tayong mapulitika. Wala nang sinisigaw ang ating bagong Pangulo kundi unity tayo, magkaisa na tayo. Ito dinadamay na naman ninyo ang U.S., dinadamay na naman ninyo ang Europe. Pambihira,” he went on.

(My appeal to you is that now is not the time for politicking.

Our new president has called for unity. Let us unite. And do not drag the U.S. and Europe into your politicking. Unbelievable.)

Padilla also asked the international community what they wanted to hear, as Filipinos “overwhelmingly” supported former President Rodrigo Duterte, who launched the war on drugs, and incumbent President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., adding that the voice of the people is the voice of God. For Padilla, the Philippines is at the losing end if the world will not unite.

“Ang ating mundo ngayon talagang kung ‘di tayo magkakaisa malulugi po tayong mga Pilipino. Ito ang oras na tayo kahit magkakaiba tayo ng ating mga adhikain pero pagdating sa kapakanan ng bayang Pilipinas at kapwa nating Pilipino parang awa niyo na po, magkaisa na po tayo,” he explained.

(If we don’t unite now, we will end up as the losers. This is the time to unite despite differences in our beliefs, for the sake of our country and our people.)

Based on human rights groups’ data, around 30,000 people in the country suffered extrajudicial killings.

However, government figures show that only over 6,000 were killed in Duterte’s drug war. (By Daniza Fernandez/ Inquirer.net)

PAGE 1 “Our Gawad Alab ng Lahi awardees bring not only pride and honor to the Filipino race—they are the flames that should inspire all of us to work together to help us achieve our shared aspirations for our country and our people,” Consul General Elmer G. Cato said.

“We hope that the Gawad Alab ng Lahi will inspire more of our kababayan to stoke the flames of Filipino pride by demonstrating the best of our race in whatever they do,” Dr. Romulo Aromin, President and Chair of the Hiraya Foundation said.

The awards recognized and celebrated the contributions of individuals and organizations—both Filipino-Americans and foreign allies —to uplift the lives of kababayan abroad and at home, providing better lives for themselves and their families.

Atty. Geraldine Acuna-Sunshine, a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University who is also president of the Sunshine Care Foundation and co-founder of the Collaborative Center for X-Linked Dystonia Parkinsonism, was presented with the Gawad Alab ng Lahi for spearheading efforts to find a cure for the disease that afflicts Filipino males from the Visayas while providing comprehensive support for patients and their families in the Philippines.

Dr. Henry Howard, Philippine Honorary Consul in Miami, Florida, was recognized not only for his scholarship programs in the Philippines but also for his role in securing the release and eventual return of the Balangiga Bells from the United States.

The other awardees include the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA), which was

Mayor Arvin Amatorio of Bergenfield, New Jersey (second from right) was among the awardees of the firstever Gawad Alab ng Lahi staged by the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Hiraya Foundation for Filipino-American Heritage Preservation last week. Photo shows Mayor Amatorio with(from left) Deputy Consul General Arman Talbo, Consul General Elmer G. Cato, and Dr. Romulo Aromin, President and Chair of the Hiraya Foundation.

recognized for the service and sacrifice of its members, especially during the coronavirus pandemic that claimed the lives of as many as 66 nurses from the Philippines.

Another awardee was Dr. Leo Felix Jurado, Chair of the Nursing Department at the William Patterson University in New Jersey, for his role in getting the Philippines included as a testing center for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) that benefitted thousands of Filipino nurses. Also recognized was the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FILVETREP) which was behind the successful efforts that secured the congressional gold medal for Filipino World War II veterans.

The other Gawad Alab ng Lahi

awardees are the Association of Filipino Teachers in America (AFTA); Mayor Arvin Amatorio of Bergenfield, New Jersey; theater actor Miguel Braganza II; Concentrix Philippines; Carnival Cruise Lines; and United Food of Asia. The awardees each received a mixed media trophy made of wood, metal, glass, and abaca designed by Filipino pop artist Normie Meimban.

The ceremony was hosted by Marc Dela Cruz, the first Filipino to play the lead role in the Broadway musical “Hamilton.” Dela Cruz and singer Kirby Asunto, along with conductor Michael Dadap and the Children’s Orchestra Society, also performed for the audience that was made up of prominent members of the Filipino Community. n

Marcos invites Filipinos to listen to first...

PAGE 1 Marcos’ first SONA will be held more than three weeks after he assumed office and on the same day that the 19th Congress will formally open session.

He is expected to enumerate his priority bills and to ask Congress to pass measures that will help his administration carry out its programs.

The President will also present the details of the government’s medium-term fiscal framework, which is aimed at cutting the budget deficit, promoting fiscal sustainability and enabling robust economic growth.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno previously said the framework would be implemented in two stages over the entire term of the

President.

Among the goals set under the strategy is for the economy to grow by 6.5 to 7.5 percent this year and by 6.5 to 8 percent from 2023 to 2028.

The government also aims to reduce poverty incidence to nine percent by the end of Marcos’ term.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration managed to bring poverty incidence down from 23.5 percent in 2015 to 16.7 percent before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, according to Diokno.

He said between the first semester of 2018 and the first semester of 2021, poverty incidence rose to 23.7 percent.

Economic managers also seek to elevate the country to

upper middle-income status, where per capita income for Filipinos is at $4,046 by the end of Marcos’ term.

The administration also wants to reduce the debt-togross domestic product ratio from 63.5 percent as of the first quarter of 2022 to 60 percent by 2025.

Marcos has also vowed to make agriculture his “highest priority,” saying a strong economy cannot be built without a robust agricultural sector.

The President, who temporarily heads the agriculture department, has directed the agency to increase food production and to craft a multi-year plan to construct the Philippines’ value chain to address a food crisis that he said may affect the Philippines in the next

two quarters.

He cited the need to increase the production of rice, corn and livestock while ensuring that their prices remain affordable.

Clear roadmap Senators are anticipating the first SONA of Marcos, who they hope will present a clear roadmap on how his administration will address the daunting challenges the country is facing.

Sen. JV Ejercito expressed hope that Marcos will detail his plans for the country’s economic recovery and pandemic response in his SONA on Monday, July 25.

“I hope to hear some specifics on the direction he wants to take for the country.

His inauguration speech was inspiring, but his SONA PAGE 7

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OPINION

FEATURES

Child health red alert

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Philstar.com

The Philippines merited special mention in a new report released last week by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. Unfortunately, it was not a flattering commentary by the WHO and Unicef on the state of Philippine public health.

Unicef’s executive director warned of a global “red alert for child health” amid “the largest sustained drop in childhood immunization in a generation,” with the worst situations recorded in five countries: Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines.

WHO and Unicef officials attributed the alarming drop to the disruptions caused by the COVID pandemic in the delivery of public health services alongside misinformation about vaccines.

In the Philippines, hysteria over the antidengue vaccine Dengvaxia led to a slide in the general childhood immunization program even before the arrival of COVID. The Dengvaxia scare was blamed for the return of polio in 2019, about 19 years after the Philippines was declared free of the crippling disease. There was also a resurgence of measles, with 47,871 cases and 632 deaths

recorded nationwide in 2019.

Pandemic lockdowns beginning in 2020 further derailed the national immunization program.

Unicef and the WHO, in their report last week, said about 25 million children worldwide failed to get inoculated in 2021 against common vaccine-preventable diseases led by diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis.

The “historic backsliding” in childhood immunization is happening at the same time that severe malnutrition is on the rise, weakening the immune systems of children, Unicef and the WHO warned.

“The convergence of a hunger crisis with a growing immunization gap threatens to create the conditions for a child survival crisis,” the UN said. Health experts lament that this is eroding the enormous progress achieved in global child vaccination in the

Editorial

two decades before the COVID pandemic struck.

Mobility restrictions are now being eased, and governments must move aggressively to make up for the years lost in the childhood vaccination program. In the Philippines, this

is critical especially with face-to-face classes resuming this year. School children must be in the best of health for optimum learning. It is not yet too late to turn back the tide and save children from lifelong debilitation and even death. (Philstar.com)

Filipinos are fully behind the PCA arbitral ruling

Babe’s Eye View BABE ROMUALDEZ LAST Tuesday, July 19, I was asked to deliver the keynote address at an international forum titled, “Redefining Maritime Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific in an Age of Uncertainty,” organized by the Stratbase ADR Institute to commemorate the anniversary

of the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration Tribunal Ruling.

Conducted via hybrid format, the forum gathered local and regional security experts who discussed the complex issues surrounding the Indo-Pacific and how the Philippines can harness its maritime potential and position itself as a key player in the maritime domain.

The powerhouse roster of panelists included director of the Indo-Pacific

Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) Lisa Curtis; BowerGroupAsia director of research and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) senior associate Murray Hiebert; Ambassador Jana Sediva of the Czech Republic; the British Embassy in the Philippines’ deputy head of mission Alistair White; National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies associate

professor Yusuke Takagi; Australia National University professor of International Security and Intelligence Studies John Blaxland; De La Salle University professor and Stratbase ADRI program convenor Dr. Renato de Castro; and retired Philippine Navy Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong, currently the executive director of the Security Reform Initiative and Professor of Praxis at the Ateneo School of

Government.

The three-and-a-half-hour conference examined the evolving security architecture in the Indo-Pacific and the need for the Philippines to engage in strategic alliances with like-minded states to promote peace and stability in the region through a rulesbased international order.

No one will argue that the 2016 PCA arbitral ruling continues to be the single

most important document during these volatile times.

And as I have always said, it was not only a victory for the Philippines but for the international community as well for the primary reason that the decision is underpinned by the rule of law.

As noted by ADRI president Professor Dindo Manhit, the 2016 arbitral ruling has “defined what is ours PAGE 10

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

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DATELINE PHILIPPINES

JULY 22-28, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

USAID leads dialogue on improving women’s digital inclusion in PH MANILA – Speakers and reactors from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Philippine Commission on Women, Global Systems of Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), and the public and private sectors recently engaged more than 300 participants at an online dialogue on the prevailing gender mobile usage gap worldwide and in the Philippines.

In commemoration of National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Month, the United States government, through the USAID led the dialogue to promote increased access to digital technology in the Philippines, particularly among women.

More than 300 participants attended the dialogue on June 27 to discuss issues related to digital inclusion, such as the gender mobile internet adoption and usage gap and key ICT policy challenges and opportunities

to increase women’s mobile internet use.

“We are at the cusp of a rapid digital transformation where digital devices and the internet have become an integral part of our day-to-day lives,” USAID Philippines Regional Office of Acquisition and Assistance Director Jennifer Crow said in a statement issued on Tuesday, July 19.

“USAID remains committed to supporting the Philippine government in building a future where digital technology promotes inclusive growth, fosters resilient and democratic societies, and empowers all, including the most vulnerable,” she added.

According to the Global Systems of Mobile Communications Association (GSMA), 52 million Filipinos living in areas already covered by mobile broadband do not use mobile internet. A significant number of them are women who face barriers such as handset and data cost, limited access to networks and electricity, and safety and security PAGE 10

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Buboy Fernandez thinks Pacquiao boxing comeback ‘possible’

by MARK

GIONGCO Inquirer.net

MANILA — Buboy Fernandez is not discounting the possibility that Manny Pacquiao comes back from retirement.

Pacquiao is slated for an exhibition fight in December against South Korean YouTuber DK Yoo in a still to be announced venue.

It’s also possible that the “special boxing match” against Yoo could lead to Pacquiao’s ring return as far as Fernandez is concerned.

But Fernandez, Pacquiao’s childhood friend and longtime trainer, said that it’s all up to the former welterweight champion if he does decide to unretire.

“Depende pa rin sa kanya kung talagang babalik siya sa ring,” Fernandez

Trainer Buboy Fernandez.

said Wednesday, July 20, at Shangri-La Fort where Pacquiao and Yoo are scheduled for a contract signing and press conference.

(It still depends on him if he returns to the ring.)

Photo by Mark Giongco

“Hindi natin masabi pero sabi ko nga (we can’t really say but like I said), it’s possible,” Fernandez added.

Pacquiao, 43, hasn’t fought since dropping a unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugas in August of last year. 

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-28, 2022

Boost now or wait? Many wonder... Marcos invites Filipinos...

PAGE 1 Like Paige, who said she doesn’t currently plan to get another booster, some Americans seem comfortable with the protection of three shots. But others may wonder what to do: Boost again now with one of the original vaccines, or wait months for promised new formulations tailored to the latest, highly contagious omicron subvariants, BA.4 and BA.5?

The rapidly mutating virus has created a conundrum for the public and a communications challenge for health officials.

“What we’re seeing now is a little bit of an information void that is not helping people make the right decision,” said Dr. Carlos del Rio, a professor of infectious diseases at the Emory University School of Medicine.

Del Rio said the public isn’t hearing enough about the vaccines’ value in preventing severe disease, even if they don’t stop all infections.

Each new covid variant also forces health officials to tweak their messaging, del Rio said, which can add to public mistrust.

About 70% of Americans age 50 and older who got a first booster shot — and nearly as many of those 65 and older — haven’t received their second covid booster dose, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency currently recommends two booster shots after a primary vaccine series for adults 50 and older and for younger people with compromised immune systems. Last week, multiple news outlets reported that the Biden administration was working on a plan to allow all adults to get second covid boosters.

Officials are worried about the surge of BA.4 and BA.5, which spread easily and can escape immune protection from vaccination or prior infection. A recent study published in Nature found BA.5 was four times as resistant to the currently available mRNA vaccines as earlier omicron subvariants.

Consistent messaging has been complicated by the different views of leading vaccine scientists. Although physicians like del Rio and Dr. Peter Hotez of Baylor College of Medicine see the value in getting a second booster, Dr. Paul Offit, a member of the FDA’s vaccine advisory committee, is skeptical it’s needed by anyone but seniors and people who are immunocompromised.

“When experts have different views based on the same science, why are we surprised that getting the message right is confusing?” said Dr. Bruce Gellin, chief of global public health strategy at the Rockefeller Foundation and Offit’s colleague on the FDA panel.

Janet Perrin, 70, of Houston hasn’t gotten her second booster for scheduling and convenience reasons and said she’ll look for information about a variant-targeted dose from sources she trusts on social media. “I haven’t found a consistent guiding voice from the CDC,” she said, and the agency’s statements sound like “a political word salad.”

On July 12, the Biden administration released its plan to manage the BA.5 subvariant, which it warned would have the greatest impact in the parts of the country with lower vaccine coverage. The strategy includes making it easier for people to access testing, vaccines and boosters, and covid antiviral treatments.

During the first White House covid briefing in nearly three weeks, the message from top federal health officials was clear: Don’t wait for an omicron-tailored shot. “There are many people who are at high risk right

now, and waiting until October, November for their boost — when in fact their risk is in the moment — is not a good plan,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, head of the CDC. With worries about the BA.5 subvariant growing, the FDA on June 30 recommended that drugmakers Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna get to work producing a new, bivalent vaccine that combines the current version with a formulation that targets the new strains.

The companies both say they can make available for the U.S. millions of doses of the reformulated shots in October. Experts think that deadline could slip by a few months given the unexpected hitches that plague vaccine manufacturing.

“I think that we have all been asking that same question,” said Dr. Kathryn Edwards, scientific director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research Program. “What’s the benefit of getting another booster now when what will be coming out in the fall is a bivalent vaccine and you will be getting BA.4/5, which is currently circulating? Although whether it will be circulating in the fall is another question.”

The FDA on July 13 authorized a fourth covid vaccine, made by Novavax, but only for people who haven’t been vaccinated yet.

Many scientists thought the Novavax shot could be an effective booster for people previously vaccinated with mRNA shots from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna because its unique design could broaden the immune response to coronaviruses. Unfortunately, few studies have assessed mix-and-match vaccination approaches, said Gellin, of the Rockefeller Foundation.

Edwards and her husband got covid in January. She received a second booster last month, but only because she thought it might be required for a Canadian business trip.

Otherwise, she said, she felt a fourth shot was kind of a waste, though not particularly risky. She told her husband — a healthy septuagenarian — to wait for the BA.4/5 version.

People at very high risk for covid complications might want to go ahead and get a fourth dose, Edwards said, with the hope that it will temporarily prevent severe disease “while you wait for BA.4/5.”

The omicron vaccines will contain components that target the original strain of the virus because the first vaccine formulations are known to prevent serious illness and death even in people infected with omicron.

Those components will also help keep the earlier strains of the virus in check, said Dr. David Brett-Major, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. That’s important, he said, because too much tailoring of vaccines to fight emerging variants could allow older strains of the coronavirus to resurface.

Brett-Major said messages about the value of the tailored shots will need to come from trusted, local sources — not just top federal health officials.

“Access happens locally,” he said. “If your local systems are not messaging and promoting and enabling access, it’s really problematic.”

Although some Americans are pondering when, or whether, to get their second boosters, many people tuned out the pandemic long ago, putting them at risk during the current wave, experts said.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director

PAGE 4 needs to flesh out the details of his plan to address the challenges we face,” Ejercito said in a statement.

“He needs to come up with a plan that balances the need to protect our people from the current and future pandemic and the urgency of reviving our economy in the face of mounting debt, external pressures and inflation,” he added.

The senator said he expects Marcos to discuss a comprehensive economic plan that will go beyond proposals to raise existing taxes and levy new ones.

“There have been talks about raising taxes. This cannot be a stand-alone plan; rather, it should be part of a comprehensive economic blueprint that I hope will be discussed in the SONA,” Ejercito said.

He also emphasized the need to anchor the country’s pandemic response on the Universal Health Care law, which he principally sponsored during his first term at the Senate.

Ejercito recently filed an amendment to the measure, seeking to adjust current PhilHealth contribution schemes.

As principal author of the Anti-Agricultural Smuggling Act and an advocate for local farmers, Ejercito called on Marcos to elaborate on his plan for food security amid the threat of an impending food crisis.

Sen. Nancy Binay said Marcos should also mention how he intends to cushion the effects of rising fuel prices and his economic roadmap for the next six years.

Sen. Robin Padilla said he is excited to listen to the SONA, especially now as a senator.

Padilla added that he used to attend Duterte’s SONA, but as a “third person.”

“I’m excited to what President Marcos will say.

Because when we were campaigning, he always said he would continue the good programs of Duterte,” Padilla told reporters in Filipino.

He added that he was keen on what Marcos will say about the war on drugs, Build Build Build and agriculture.

‘Proportionately represented’ Allies or partners of the administration party under the supermajority coalition will be “proportionately represented” when the 19th Congress convenes on July 25, presumptive speaker Martin Romualdez said on Monday, July 18.

“We will also go by seniority, merit, experience and, of course, the initiative to make the sacrifice and hard work needed for each of the positions,” Romualdez told reporters in a chance interview.

Romualdez, Marcos’ first cousin, is expected to be elected as the speaker on July 25, when the new Chief Executive delivers his first SONA. The reelected first district congressman of Leyte province said that while many members of the 19th Congress are qualified for leadership and committee posts, the House will be guided by “our time-honored traditions of having the respective parties properly represented.”

Romualdez served as majority leader in the 18th Congress (July 2019-June 2022).

Asked who would be his successor as majority leader, he replied: “We’ll let you know next week. We’ll try to get those who are willing to make the sacrifice of hard work and get a consensus to help us on (legislative) measures.”

Also on Monday, the House leader does not see any problem regarding the submission of the proposed national budget for 2023,

of the American Public Health Association, said he doesn’t expect to see the public’s level of interest in the vaccine change much even as new boosters are released and eligibility expands. Parts of the country with high vaccine coverage will remain relatively insulated from new variants that emerge, he said, while regions with low vaccine acceptance could be set for a “rude awakening.”

Even scientists are at a bit of a loss for how to effectively adapt to an ever-changing virus.

“Nothing is simple with covid, is it? It’s just whack-a-mole,” said Edwards. “This morning I read about a new variant in India. Maybe it’ll

7

which he promised to pass before the year ends, just like they as lawmakers always do.

“The most important is the 2023 national budget, which we will pass definitely within the third quarter for the President to sign before the year ends. The executive department can submit the proposed budget within 30 days of SONA delivery,” Romualdez said.

He also delivered an inspirational message to the third batch of neophyte congressmen who finished the executive course on legislation for members of the 19th Congress at the Belmonte Hall inside the Batasang Pambansa complex in Quezon City.

1,365 guests Meanwhile, more than 1,300 individuals are invited to attend Marcos’ first SONA before the joint session of Congress at the Batasan complex in Quezon City.

House of Representatives Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza said they have started sending out invitations to 1,365 guests over the weekend while the rest of the invitations will be delivered this week.

“So far, we are OK with the coordination with different agencies and with Malacañangy,” Mendoza told GMA 7’s “BalitangHali” on Monday.

Among the invitees are Vice President Sara Duterte, former presidents, former vice presidents, former speakers, former Senate presidents, members of Marcos’ Cabinet and members of the diplomatic corps.

This will be the first faceto-face SONA of a Philippine president since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

Duterte’s last two SONAs in 2020 and 2021 were held in a hybrid or mixed live and virtual setup as a precautionary measure against the virus. g

be a nothingburger, but — who knows? — maybe something big, and then we’ll wonder, ‘Why did we change the vaccine strain to BA.4/5?’”

(Sam Whitehead and Arthur Allen/Kaiser Health News) KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. g

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JULY 22-28, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-28, 2022

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Vegas Loop’s Resorts World station opens

By REALTOR FELY QUITEVIS-BATEMAN

IT is an ambitious project that when completed will comprise of 55 stations within a 29mile underground tunnel network.

Called the Vegas Loop, the

project is being undertaken

by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company. The tunnel network is planned to stretch from Allegiant Stadium across the strip to other points north, and even over to the airport.

A 10-minute walk from Turnberry Place Tower 2 is the Resorts World Hotel (dark building in the background) where the Resorts World station of the Vegas Loop just opened in photo taken by Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

The ultimate hope for the company is to be able to tunnel all the way to Los Angeles.

Recently, the Resorts World station for this project was opened, with Las Vegas Convention Center attendees and the general public able to

Dining with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (extreme right) in Pahrump are her investors: (from left) Ace Realty’s Nida Santos (Realtor Quitevis-Bateman’s friend for almost 40 years, who is a broker from Marikina City, Philippines), Vivian Pahati and Erma de Guzman.

ride the Teslas going within the loop. Convention center attendees can currently get out of the station, while others will circle back to the RW station. The ride from the RW station to the LVCC West Hall parking lot takes over just a minute, with the Tesla hitting about 30 mph.

News reports say that the “joyride” in a Tesla Model X or Model & costs $1.50, or a day pass can be bought for $2.50.

The Vegas Loop has actually been operating within the Las Vegas Convention Center grounds already, providing rides for attendees who want to go to points across the LVCC campus. The loop actually saves attendees valuable time as a trip from the West Hall to the North/ Central Hall can take up to 25 minutes. Riding the loop will take approximately only 2 minutes.

Within the LVCC, the system can transport more than 4,400 convention attendees per hour across the campus, according to the Las Vegas Convention and

The newly-opened Resorts World Station of the Vegas Loop allows convention attendees to go back and forth between Resorts World and the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Image capture

Visitors Authority website.

Passengers load into vehicles capable of holding three people, with future vehicles capable of holding up to 12 people, it said.

The loop within LVCC has been operating for more than a year prior to the opening of the RW station.

Officials like Resorts World CEO/President Scott Sibella and LVCVA CEO/President Steve Hill who were present at the RW station opening said in news reports that the project is safe and there are procedures in place in cases of flood or fire.

“It’s extremely safe. As you know, these electric cars…

there’s no emission, there’s no gas, there’s exiting in case a car does break down. It’s easy to get a car out,” Sibella was quoted as saying.

“You can use stations for emergency exits, but there are also exits in the system where you can just open a door and walk out, so there’ll be stairwells,” Hill answered, when asked about flood or fire situations.

The benefits to riding within the loop are obvious, especially when it is fully complete. Aside from savings on time and the use of cleaner technology, it avoids potential weather delays, PAGE 10

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JULY 22-28, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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Boracay, Palawan and Cebu... Vegas Loop’s Resorts World station...

PAGE 2 dwellers worldwide. The choice is a result of several criteria that include aspects like walkability, good public transport, safety, and sustainability other than a thriving nightlife, amazing food and drink, and art and culture.

According to Time Out, the nation’s capital is “an undervalued hotspot for art and culture, with unique customs and food to boot,” which are primarily influenced by Chinese, Spanish, and American heritage.

“The pandemic brought the longest lockdowns, cruel liquor bans, and the demand for spacewear-like face shields, but a strong vaccine drive has helped this megacity stay

afloat,” the magazine wrote, acknowledging the city’s aggressive vaccination campaign.

“Manila was voted the third most resilient in this year’s survey, and not a single respondent described the city as rude – instead, it was admired by many for the welcoming and infectious smiles of its people,” the magazine added.

“May this global recognition of the beauty of our natural resources inspire our efforts to raise the Philippines’ standing in the tourism industry by introducing tourism infrastructure development and improvements that would enhance connectivity and convenience in reaching our destinations,” Frasco said. g

Filipinos are fully behind...

PAGE 5 as it legitimized and validated our claims in the disputed waters. Under a rules-based international system, the Permanent Court of Arbitration has legally transformed our maritime claims into territorial rights.”

No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. himself has recognized this, saying, “We have a very important ruling in our favor. We will use it to continue to assert our territorial rights. It’s not a claim, it is already our territorial right,” asserting that “we will not allow a single square millimeter” of our maritime coastal rights to be trampled upon.

It was interesting to learn that in a recent Pulse Asia survey commissioned by Stratbase, 89 percent of Filipinos believe that the President should assert our rights in the West Philippine Sea, and 90 percent agree that the new administration under President Marcos must invest in the capability of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard to protect the country’s territory and marine resources within its exclusive economic zone. Moreover, 84 percent also agree that the new government should form alliances with other countries to defend Philippine territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea. In his presentation, retired Navy Rear Admiral Rommel Jude Ong asserted that “our defense posture needs a serious reset” to mitigate China’s maritime posture and restore a rules-based order within our exclusive economic zone. A reset would also enable us to “contribute to regional stability under the framework of a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as the ASEAN Outlook in the Indo-Pacific” (AOIP).”

As I explained in my keynote remarks, we need to continue with AFP modernization efforts to build a more reliable and credible Philippine armed forces in order to strengthen our territorial or external defense capabilities.

One positive development that has happened is the acquisition of the abandoned Hanjin shipyard in Subic by U.S.-based equity firm

Cerberus Capital Management. The shipyard, now known as Agila Subic, will help strengthen and transform the Philippine Navy – which is an anchor tenant occupying 250 acres of the facility – into a multi-capable naval force with the activation of the Naval Operations Base that will play a major role in our military modernization efforts.

I agree with the assessment of RADM Ong that for modernization to be sustainable, we must bring the local defense industry into the picture, as “some of the items we are procuring can actually be done by a local company,” he said. At the same time, there is a need to review the legal structure as current laws tend to be biased against local industries instead of supporting them, he added.

I for one know that we have a pioneering Filipino company that produces world-class firearms, ammunition and other defense products – Armscor – which has always been supportive of the Self-Reliant Defense Posture (SRDP) program that both former defense secretary Del Lorenzana and Department of National Defense OIC General Jose Faustino Jr. have been wanting to revive for the Philippines to attain defense self-sufficiency.

And while I believe that diplomacy is still the best way to find a peaceful resolution to the contentious issues surrounding the Indo-Pacific, it is equally important for us to be able to defend ourselves if a situation such as an intrusion in our exclusive economic zone occurs.

Filipinos are known for having a deep threshold for patience and are prepared to sacrifice for the sake of peace. In Tagalog, “mahaba ang pasensiya ng Filipino.” But make no mistake about it – when push comes to shove, we Filipinos will stand up and fight for what is rightfully ours. (Philstar.com) *** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.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

PAGE 9 surface-level infrastructure and horrendous traffic.

According to LVCVA’s Hill, applications for the next three to four phases of the project are being turned out, although he would not reveal which station might open next.

In the loop’s future destinations are stops are resorts along the Strip, connections to downtown, a loop that goes to W. Flamingo Road and south to Russell Road, and a stop at UNLV. The route to Reid International Airport is a goal for the company, but there are no agreements in place as of yet.

What’s great and unique about the loop is that passengers don’t have to stop at every station on the way to a destination, said Hill.

The LVCVA CEO and president said that Las Vegas is one of the few places in the world where billion-dollar projects such as this is going on all the time. He believes that the loop is a transformative transportation project for Las Vegas and that “seeing real, substantial progress is pretty gratifying.”

This project represents a huge victory not only for its supporters but for Las Vegas as it probably represents the future in transportation, or some form of it.

What’s not to love about the use of cleaner technology?

The Vegas Loop is just one of the many projects being planned and constructed in the city, which has undergone a tremendous transformation since it became a popular destination. Las Vegas has become known as one of the gambling and entertainment capitals in the world, and the current push is for it to become a sports capital in the world.

Big tracts of land have recently sold along or near the Strip where either major projects are being planned by huge companies or analysts are speculating on the kind of projects being put in those areas. The Oak View Group has its planned $3 billion sports and entertainment hub near the intersection of Las Vegas Boulevard and Blue Diamond Road; The Siegel Group, which purchased about 10 acres near the north part of the Strip, has yet to comment on what it plans for the land, although there are speculations that it may include a casino-hotel, a condominium tower, retail outlets and multifamily apartments; Formula One’s parent company, which completed a $240 million purchase of nearly 40 acres just east of the Strip, and who will run a high-speed race in 2023 in the city; and a 2.2-acre property along Las Vegas Boulevard and Russell Road that was bought for a reported $12.8 million and whose buyer still is a mystery to many (no word on what project is being planned for this tract of land).

There are many other deals going about in Las Vegas, including Hard Rock International’s

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

plans to buy The Mirage’s operations for more than $1 billion along with a goal to build a guitar-shaped hotel tower on the Strip, and casino landlord Vici Properties buyout of MGM Resorts International’s real estate spinoff for $17.2 million. The Fountainbleau Las Vegas, which is currently undergoing construction, is scheduled to open in late 2023.

Even with the recent slowdown in real estate activity, there are still distinct advantages in looking at purchasing real estate in Nevada, whether it is in Las Vegas or communities like Pahrump, which is about less than an hour’s drive from Las Vegas. Property prices are still more affordable in the state than in other major cities/towns in the United States.

I bring a few decades worth of experience in real estate that will help you, my kababayans, in your search for real estate – whether it is for a new home, a second/vacation home, an investment property, or a piece of land where you want to construct your dream home.

My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-5138447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

USAID leads dialogue on improving women’s...

PAGE 6 concerns that include online harassment and fraud.

“We continue to work together with various partners to ensure that internet connectivity is widely available to every Filipino. Through our efforts, we can surely accelerate

progress in advancing ICT and deliver on the promise of digital inclusion,” DICT Undersecretary Maria Victoria Castro said.

Speakers shared policy examples and innovations from other countries, such as lowering consumer taxes and import duties on handsets,

offering flexible payment terms for underserved customer segments, providing targeted internet service and smartphone subsidies for women entrepreneurs and femaleheaded households, and increasing digital literacy.

The dialogue also

highlighted existing policies and programs that support digital inclusion in the Philippines which include the Updated Philippine Development Plan, the Updated Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Plan, the National Broadband Plan, the Free Wi-Fi for All

Program, and the Tech4ED Project.

Through its Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) project, USAID helps improve the Philippines’ ICT and logistics infrastructure; strengthen the regulatory, business, and innovation environment; and bolster

cybersecurity.

To help bridge the digital divide, USAID also assists the government in automation and digitization efforts and supports community networks to expand lowcost internet access for underserved communities.

(PNA)

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 22-28, 2022

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

11

Lola’s wrong advice resulted in many years of family separation, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy

MIKE missed the chance to bring his kids to the U.S. due to wrong advice from his well-meaning mother.

Mike was petitioned as single by his mother, but she told him not to bring his children along, since their birth certificates had a date of marriage listed.

Many erroneously assume that a date of marriage on the birth certificate of a child born out of wedlock can be fatal to their case if they are being petitioned as single. This episode proves that is not true.

Watch how leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel was able to bring Migs and Myki to the U.S. under their grandmother’s petition, despite a date of marriage on their birth certificates.

Don’t miss this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers). Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the app for free.

(Advertising Supplement)

SINGLE PARENT LEAVES CHILDREN BEHIND BECAUSE OF DATE OF MARRIAGE ON THEIR BIRTH CERTIFICATES, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Mike (2nd from left) was petitioned as “single” by his mother and wanted to bring his children with him to the U.S., but his mother said, “just leave the kids behind,” since their birth certificates had a date of marriage. Unfortunately, that decision resulted in many years of separation for Mike and his children. Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to bring Mike’s son, Migs (left), and daughter, Myki (3rd from left), to the U.S. under Lola’s petition, despite a date of marriage on their birth certificates. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, July 24 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

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JULY 22-28, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS A FEW years ago, while waiting at O’Hare Airport in Chicago for our flight to Lake Charles, Louisiana to attend the graduation of our granddaughter Sydney, my wife Farida and I saw a cute, cheerful, very active toddler, who reminded us fondly of our five children and ten grandchildren at that age.

As a pediatrician, Farida guessed the baby girl’s age correctly, as we overheard the father telling a lady “16 months old.” Personally, I find them most enjoyable and adorable between ages one to three, and especially challenging at age two: Terrible Two, when they start to develop their personality and love to say “No!,” asserting their independence.

The stage I truly marvel at, even today, is the initiation of life when the sperm meets the ovum which starts fertilization from one cell, geometrically and progressively dividing, eventually growing into an embryo, then fetus. How a new human being comes to life and how DNA maps and guides the entire process are amazing and mindboggling, to say the least.

To me, it is nothing short of a miracle. The progress of fetal development compounds the excitement and interest. And the curiosity and the queries abound.

Fetal development The cells in the embryo begin to organize themselves into the fetus’s brain, face, eyes, ears, and nose between the 4th and 5th week of pregnancy. The heart starts to beat at about 22 days after conception, but on the ultrasound, the beating heart of the fetus is seen in about 5 weeks from the last menstrual period of the mother. At 18 weeks, the baby begins to hear, more sensitive at week 24 when the ears are developing better.

Between weeks 25th and 26th, it responds to voices and noise in the womb. The baby at this stage is able to hear music, the mother’s breathing, motion, stomach growls, and heartbeat. The outside sounds are muted by half in the uterus, muffled by the

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Miracle of life amniotic fluid (like shock absorber) where the baby floats. Constant exposure to loud noises could cause hearing defect in the fetus.

The mother’s voice is the most significant, familiar and soothing sound the baby hears, which the baby in the womb can recognize by the third trimester (by 28th weeks). Its heartbeat increases when the mother is speaking, showing their awareness and alertness.

At 25 weeks (5 months and one week) of gestation, the fetus is about 13.1 inches (33.6 cm) tall and 1.7 pounds (785 grams) in weight. They already look like human beings, a very tiny version of a fullterm baby. Normal fullterm delivery is 40 weeks (10 months). Those born at 25 weeks are tiny and fragile, but with modern neonatology care, most make it, although some simply do not survive.

Indeed, the fetuses in the womb, when allowed to grow fully, are our future fellow human beings.

Brain health: B6 A new study shows that Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), one of the B vitamins, could reduce anxiety and depression after taking it at a high dose for a month.

In the research, Vitamin B12 did not have much impact on these conditions, but pyridoxine had a good positive impact.

The effective dose of B6 in this study to prevent or treat mood disorders was found to be about 50 times the minimum daily requirement of 1.3 mg for 50 and younger, and 1.5 to 1.7 mg for those older than 50.

Published in the journal Human Psychopharmacology, the investigators stated, “Vitamin B6 helps the body produce a specific chemical messenger that inhibits impulses in the brain, and our study links this calming effect with reduced anxiety among the participants; pyridoxine is known to increase the body’s production of GABA (Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), a chemical that blocks impulses between nerve cells in the brain.”

Foods that contain B6 include, among others, chickpeas, fruits and vegetables, and tuna, but it needs B6 supplements to be high enough a

concentration in the body to have a positive effect on mood.

When the final studies pan out to be safe and effective, this therapy would be a boon in the management of mood disorders and positively impacts millions of lives worldwide.

Consult your physician before embarking on this, or other therapies, which, in this particular case still needs a larger-scale clinical trial before being approved for general use.

Erection problem Erectile dysfunction (ED), the inability to have a firm erection for successful intercourse, affects more than 30 million Americans, and roughly about 10 million Filipinos. Around 52 percent of males, ages 40-70, have this malady.

Even the younger men are not exempt from ED. But there is hope today, with our modern therapeutics.

The common causes include vascular (the most common), smoking, diabetes, alcohol use, stress, depression, anxiety, medications, the deficit in nerve signaling, and endocrine or hormone issues.

Medical consultation is important to rule out organic medical problems that would require more comprehensive laboratory tests.

An association between dietary cholesterol, unsaturated fat intake, and erectile dysfunction was discovered by the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Consuming a Mediterranean diet, consisting mostly of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like olive oil, and avocados, may prevent ED. The following food items help in preventing and management of ED, besides providing other nutritional benefits to the body: fish, oatmeal, blackberries, avocados, pistachios watermelon, spinach, kale, persimmons pomegranate juice, bananas, apricots, chili peppers, nuts, and green leafy, and other color vegetables.

Regular physical exercise helps a lot in solving ED problems.

The foods to avoid: alcohol and any soft drinks; soy-based items and licorice, all of which decrease testosterone levels. Smoking is a major

cause. Obesity is another factor. A high intake of red meat and processed meats also increases the risk for ED, besides cancer.

Anti-ED pills like Viagra, sildenafil, and Levitra could be tried, together with the antiED foods recommended above. Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid), B3 (niacin), and C (ascorbic acid) are also suggested by some studies. If all those above do not help, counseling is recommended.

Warning: There are dozens of herbals and overthe-counter drugs, some sold on the streets which have not been officially approved and could have potentially serious side effects.

A healthy lifestyle, including diet, weight control, exercise, no smoking, disciplined alcohol intake, a positive attitude, and responsible behavior could help provide confidence and a happy performance in the bedroom. Sex is vital and has dozens of benefits to our health. Making our partners happy is the key to a blessed and comfortable home. *** 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. *** The main objective of this co l u m n i s to e d u c a te a n d inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life.

Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical l e c t u r e r /a u t h o r, H e a l t h Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

After such parade of costumes with saintly inspirations, loud cheers were heard the moment Oriental Mindoro candidate Graciella Sheine Lehmann walked out onto the stage with her all-white, gigantic Tikbalang costume.

Photo from Instagram/@bbpilipinasofficial

Paolo’s Tikbalang design unveiled at Binibining Pilipinas 2022 National Costume show

By Kathleen

a. llemit

Philstar.com

THE first eight Binibinis who walked the stage at last Saturday’s (July 16) National Costume show held at the New Frontier Theater included candidates with the loudest cheers.

It started with a nostalgic entry of a favorite childhood memory of running after the taho vendor and ended with a back-to-back crowd-pleasing costumes of gigantic proportions.

Camarines Sur candidate Krizzia Lynn Moreno wears the faith and devotion of the Bicolanos to the Our Lady of Peñafrancia, whom they fondly call “Ina.” Designed by Khandie Segovia, the estrellas symbolize their Ina as Stella Matutina or the Morning Star. Kryzzia also carries a handcrafted rosary by Peter Rey Yap in honor of Mary, the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary.

Diana Joy Pinto illustrates Taguig City’s melting pot of cultures in the elegantly understated woven ensemble by renowned fashion designer Renee Salud.

The virgin Christian martyr and saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria, served as inspiration for Jane Darren Genobisa’s national costume. The 4th century martyr is the patron saint of Genobisa’s hometown, Carcar City. Designed by Julien Gentica and Alexis Redecio, the green number is filled with kabkab, a grass species that grows abundantly in Cebu.

After such parade of costumes with saintly inspirations, loud cheers were heard the moment Oriental Mindoro candidate Graciella Sheine Lehmann walked out onto the stage with her all-white, gigantic Tikbalang costume.

“Eat Bulaga” host Paolo Ballesteros described his creation on his Instagram days before the National Costume show.

“This Tikbalang national costume is fashioned with intertwined branches of the Balete tree that forms the horse head and butterfly sleeves, and hugs the body down to its hooves to conceal the creature’s looming presence. Sheets of translucent, ghostly-white fabric are decoratively draped as its beguiling mane and tail that dance with the wind as it lurks in the shadows. The body is adorned in lace, with white pearls and rhinestones flickering like diamonds that will captivate anyone who may glimpse at this elusive mythical creature,” Paolo explained.

The Binibining Pilipinas 2022 coronation night will be on July 31. g

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Holy Mass and Santacruzan at 2022 Fiesta In America new venue American Dream

Iya Villania

Photo from Instagram/@iyavillania

Iya delivered fourth baby Astro without anesthesia: ‘Finally we succeeded’ By anne

Pasajol Inquirer.net

IYA Villania treated fans to moments from her birthing journey with Astro, her fourth baby, and disclosed that she went through the process without having an epidural.

The TV host documented her several hours of labor as well as the actual childbirth, as seen in a vlog on her YouTube channel on Sunday, July 17. Villania, who gave birth last month, was accompanied by her husband and fellow host Drew Arellano during the whole process.

Villania can be seen struggling in pain and pushing the baby out, while the medical staff surrounded and assisted her.

A day after giving birth, Villania talked about the process and stated that she was enjoying the “high” from the “unmedicated birthing experience.”

“I’ve always wanted to experience the whole birthing without the pain reliever, without the anesthesia. Out of the four deliveries, finally we succeeded,” she said. “[I’m] feeling good.

I’m still on a high and I still can’t believe what I went through.”

Villania also recalled attempting the said process on her past deliveries but failed. Villania then pointed out how her faith got her through the pain, and added that her fourth pregnancy might be her last.

“I’ve always wanted to experience a natural birth but the pain would get overwhelming and I’d give up and ask for the drugs,” she stated in her video caption. “For this particular delivery, I was praying for His strength and courage every single morning hoping I’d finally get to experience it since we feel this will be our last pregnancy, hence also my last chance to experience this.”

“It was such an amazing moment! And from what I imagined to be a traumatic experience, I understand now why mothers [still choose] to do it again!” she added.

Aside from Astro, Villania and Arellano share three more kids, namely Primo, their eldest child who they welcomed in 2016; Leon in 2018; and their daughter Alana, born in 2020. g

A FULL-REGALIA Santacruzan right after a Catholic Mass in New Jersey’s largest center for total family fun?

Readers of The Filipino Catholic can look forward to a smashing summer weekend on Saturday, August 20 at the spectacular American Dream Mall at East Rutherford, New Jersey starting at 10am. On that day in Court A of American Dream (1 American Dream Way in East Rutherford, New Jersey), not-for-profit Fiesta In America will celebrate its re-launch after a twoyear pause following a 22-year run as the biggest Philippine indoor event on the U.S. east coast. Admission is free at the family-oriented extravaganza of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), a fashion show by groundbreaking Filipino designers, a street food showcase, “Glimpses of Philippine Life” including a Filipiniana photo and painting gallery, a Children’s Section as well as exhibitors from the Philippines and the U.S. A holy Mass will be celebrated at 10am in Court A to start off the festivities.

The Mass will be followed by a colorful Santacruzan organized by the Catholic Action of Mary headed by Freddy Burke. The traditional procession – the high point of every fiesta in the Philippines – will be enlivened by a Reyna Elena representing St. Helena who discovered what remained of the

Nanding Mendez, President of Fiesta in America with Freddy Burke, President of Catholic Action of Mary

true Cross, various “reynas” and their consorts, as well as “constantinos” personifying the young Emperor Constantine.

Fiesta In America attendees, including thousands of Filipinos plus over 50,000 American Dream visitors from the New York-New Jersey area, will enjoy free concerts from Pinoy folk-rock legend Florante and famed singer-comedienne-actress Fe delos

Reyes, as well as exciting talents from the local concert and events circuit.

The food court and more exhibitors will be on the 3rd floor of Court A. The musical and cultural presentations will be punctuated by a fashion show by innovative Filipino couturiers and exhibits of native fabrics used in the design. A surprise celebrity-performer Lani Misalucha will be featured at the fashion show, which is a partnership between GMA, Asian Journal, Fiesta In America and Asia Pacific Fashion Week. Part of the proceeds of the fashion show segment will benefit educational scholarships for young designers in the Philippines.

Fiesta In America’s re-launch at American Dream will be preceded by the 14th annual edition of the event’s companion gala, the People’s Ball. This year’s gala luncheon will start with a Sunday Mass on August 14 at 10am at the Marriott Liberty International Airport Hotel in Newark, New Jersey. A complimentary Hustle dance instruction will follow before the registration starts. The event will be highlighted by the Empowerment Awards headed by Ms. Darlene Borromeo.

To sponsor, exhibit, attend either or both events and for more information, please call 212-682-6610, 917-6128861 email info@fiestainamerica.com or visit www.fiestainamerica.com. g

Aga stars in first movie series

By Iza IglesIas ManilaTimes.net

MULTI-AWARDED actor Aga Muhlach will be starring in a movie serye, a first in his four-decade career.

“Suntok Sa Buwan,” TV5’s new offering that will see the 52-year-old trying a new format.

In the past, Muhlach’s small screen outings were for reality TV or comedy shows.

But the former matinee idolturned-industry veteran felt it is high time to accept a

teleserye — a movie serye — thanks to the project’s story and setting.

“When they started offering this to me, nagandahan talaga ako at iba-ibang siya. Hindi lang yun, feeling ko bagay siya sa akin at kaya kong gawin. At the same time, Baguio pa ang location niya. So we’re here now, we’re doing our best at ginagawa talaga namin siyang parang pelikula,” Muhlach explained during the show’s media conference.

He continued, “When

we’re shooting, almost every day I would always say, ‘Thank God I accepted this because lahat ng mga pinangarap ko nangyari — walang bola ito. Alam nila ang sabi ko na ang unang serye ko gusto ko sa Baguio at sana mahirap ang role. Ito na nga ang nangyari at boxer pa ako.

Not many people know that boxing is one of my passions.

Makikita nila dito yun,” he continued.

In “Suntok Sa Buwan,” Muhlach portrays the role of a retired boxer named Jimmy

Boy, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer which deeply hinders his son, Dos (played by Elijah Canlas), from fulfilling his dream of becoming a professional boxer like his father.

The two will be faced with conflicts and lifechallenging experiences that would lead one of them to make the ultimate sacrifice and alternatively strengthen their bond as father and son.

A Gawad Urian and Famas Awards Best Actor PAGE 15

Aga Muhlach portrays the role of a retired boxer Jimmy Boy who trains his son, Dos, played by Elijah Canlas.

TV5 photo

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N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY J U LY 22 , 2 0 22

people events arts culture entertainment

Filipino American breakout actor Brandon Perea makes feature film debut in ‘Nope’

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA / AJPress

THE most anticipated film of the summer is, undoubtedly, “Nope,” the latest offering from Academy Award-winning writer and director Jordan Peele that promises a new take on the classic extraterrestrial blockbuster.

And just like his previous feature endeavors, “Nope” promises suspense and horror with a signature Peele smattering of thoughtprovoking commentary on the zeitgeist that will keep audiences discussing and theorizing.

Among the most anticipated parts of the film includes the prolific, diversein-every-way cast. Academy Award winner Daniel Kaluuya (“Get Out,” “Judas and the Black Messiah”), vivacious character actor Keke Palmer (“Hustlers”), and Academy Award nominee Steven Yeun (“Minari,” “The Walking Dead”) come together to investigate a mysterious phenomenon that has been abducting residents and animals of the Santa Clarita community.

The film also features an exciting actor to watch in Brandon Perea, the 27-yearold Filipino American actor who, in his feature film debut, delivered a breakout performance.

Perea (Netflix’s “The OA”) — plays Angel Torres, a tech expert who works at the now-closed Fry’s Electronics in Burbank and helps a sibling team of horse trainers — OJ Haywood (Kaluuya) and his sister, Emerald (Palmer) — in capturing footage of a sighted UFO that has been causing their horses to behave violently.

As a character, Angel serves as somewhat of a stand-in for the audience and Perea’s lived-in performance as the comically dry Angel makes you go, “Yeah, I

27-year-old Brandon Perea’s makes his feature film debut in “Nope,” from Academy Award-winning writer and director Jordan Peele.

know a guy just like this.”

But there’s still a necessary sweetness to Angel that Perea naturally brought to his performance that meshed perfectly with the rest of the principal cast.

When recounting his experience with working on “Nope” with the Asian Journal, Perea beamed, sharing, “I feel like for anyone, that would be an incredible experience and it was truly something I’ve never imagined. I keep calling it a miracle job because that’s the only way to describe it.

Perea shared that he was “an emotional wreck” when

he got the role.

“It was funny because I got Jordan to cry as well,” Perea said, recounting a “speech” he gave Peele after getting the part where he said “You know this industry can be so hard and it has its ups and downs and rollercoasters around and I felt that maybe he could relate as well. It was very touching.”

Peele is somewhat of a modern rendering of the great Alfred Hitchcock — a brave visionary who isn’t afraid to push the boundaries of mainstream horror in an attempt to capture a not-toocynical but not-too-cloying

representation of humanity.

His heroes feel less like types, individuals who are fallible and with their own quirks. Perea shared that his audition piece for Angel was a more quirky, nerdy retail worker, but knowing that Peele opts for the more “grounded performances,” Perea peppered in his own knowledge and takes of who this character could be — and Peele ended up rewriting the character for Perea.

“Usually what we see when we go into retail stores are people who don’t really wanna be there, so I feel like that’s the energy I usually get [from those employees], and Jordan thought that was really funny, and that’s what he ran with: a more hardnosed character who’s just mad at everything,” Perea shared.

Initially, Angel comes off as this dry, know-it-all techsavvy person who can’t be bothered with the ignorance of the customers he serves, a deadpan version of “the kind of person who thinks he’s the smartest person in the room” type, Perea explained.

But once he finds out that OJ and Emerald are different from his usual clientele, he softens and becomes an invaluable companion on the mission to figure out what the hell is going on in the sky.

At the start of the film, “Angel’s dealing with heartbreak, and I feel like when you deal with heartbreak, you end up in this lonely spot and looking for purpose. I felt like this

“Nope,” Brandon Perea’s debut film, will be released on Friday, July 22.

mission that they go on can fulfill that emptiness and purpose and the group becomes a family that Angel’s never really had.

He’s trying to be a part of something,” Perea said.

Within 30 seconds of meeting Angel, it’s clear that this is the kind of person who moderates Reddit and 4chan boards and consumes “Ancient Aliens” every night

while stoned. It’s a depiction of people who very much exist in the real world, which makes the film’s world feel all the more real — and disturbingly so.

With “Nope,” Peele sought to create “not only a flying saucer horror film, but really, the quintessential one.” In production notes, Peele acknowledges that PAGE 15

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Patricia on 16-year marriage: It’s constant give-and-take Arci spreads wings

By Pat-P

Daza Philstar.com

I MET Patricia Javier more than 20 years ago when she was just starting her movie career as a sexy actress. She was in her early 20s then and quickly became a household name thanks to the 1999 box-office sensation, Ang Kabit Ni Mrs. Montero, which effectively showcased her killer body and beautiful, morena face.

Patricia not only had the body and looks, she also knew how to act. That’s why it was so surprising that at the height of her career, she decided to tie the knot in 2005 with her now-husband, Dr. Robert “Rob” Walcher, and live in California.

A few years ago, however, Patricia, her hubby (who is a famous chiropractor in California) and their two kids, decided to make Manila their home.

I saw her a couple of weeks ago when she guested on the morning show of NET25, Kada Umaga. I asked her if she could spare a few minutes for an online catch-up interview, and she readily agreed. Here are the highlights of our interview: Describe briefly how you met your husband.

“I met my husband when I traveled to San Diego, California for a Filipino community event. We have common friends. It was ‘love at first chiropractic alignment.’ LOL!” Describe your family life.

“I’ve been married for 16 years. We have two adorable boys: Robert is 15 years old and Ryan James is 10. We are very hands-on parents, and we love to do activities together as a family. Our favorite thing to do is to travel.”

Patricia Javier with husband Dr. Robert ‘Rob’ Walcher

The couple and their two kids — Robert, 15 and Ryan, 10.

Photos from Instagram/@patriciajaviers

Why did you decide to move back here with your family?

“We decided to move back to Manila almost seven years ago now because first, we felt it was perfect timing for our kids to experience life here while they are still young. I want our kids to be more flexible and embrace Filipino culture. Second, I want to continue our advocacy of spreading awareness on wellness, through the power of chiropractic alignment, to our kababayans.”

How do you support each other when it comes to your individual careers?

“We support each other all the time. When I met Dr. Rob, my eventual husband, I was at

the height of my career. But I decided to follow my heart so I stayed in the USA for 13 years to build my own family.

I’m the one who suggested that he try living in Manila and he also supported me on that.

Our marriage is a constant give-and-take. We always compliment each other and respect one another’s privacy and opinions.”

Was your business affected by the pandemic? If yes, how did you cope? And how is it now?

“Yes, we were also affected. Only 50 percent of our patients could visit the clinic because half of the people were scared to go out. But we are very thankful and grateful that

our business belongs to the category of essentials during the pandemic. Right now, all our clinics are open to give the best service for wellness because we really need to be strong and healthy to fight sickness. Chiropractic care is more about prevention, and that’s why chiropractic care should be a lifestyle.”

Please talk about your other business ventures.

“We added more services in our clinics, like live blood analysis, colonics and antiaging drip. My brothers and I also took the Naturopath course. We want our clinic to be a one-stop-center for wellness.”

People see your husband to get relief from back pains caused mainly by stress.

How does your husband destress?

“Our clinic is focused on helping our clients and their families live a healthy lifestyle. We focus on the cause of the problem. My husband is very happy to give back to the community by helping our kababayans to be healthy. We decided to establish our Doc Rob Share your Blessings Foundation.

Our programs are education, livelihood and home-building for our kababayans. Every time you buy a product or avail of the services from the Doc Rob Wellness Center, you are helping our foundation to continue helping others.

My husband is a very hardworking man and a very good father because even after his work, he spends quality time with our family. My kids are so blessed to have a father like him and I’m very grateful to have him in my life.”

What do you enjoy doing together as a family?

“We like to work out at the gym with our kids and swim!”g

Filipino American breakout actor...

PAGE 14 it was an ambitious undertaking, narratively and technologically, and Peele, once again, takes advantage of the eerieness of liminality and the uncanny valley.

While the level of horror is significantly lower than that of Peele’s previous two films — “Get Out” (which earned Peele the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay) and “Us” — the character development in “Nope” is far more dynamic.

One of Peele’s strengths is his commitment to not just racially and ethnically diverse representation, but grounded representation. Each of the main characters — two Black

leads in Kaluuya and Palmer and two Asian supporting characters in Perea and Yeun — have their own neuroses and personalities; they’re fascinating characters who also happen to be people of color.

“That’s what Jordan did so well with ‘Nope’ — he sprinkled in real things about race in these characters but it isn’t what defines them completely,” Perea said, “They’re normal humans going through something crazy. And I think Jordan really knocked it out of the park with bringing the story to a real place.”

The realism within the characters adds to the unsettling nature and the mounting suspense of the film, which,

although its central concern is a possible UFO, also begins to unpack the equally as unsettling human obsession with spectacle.

And when it comes to the essential question over whether he believes aliens exist, Perea remains open-minded.

“You know what? It is a big universe and it is ever growing as we’re talking right now,” he said.

“There has to be something, and I hope it’s not human form. I hope they look like little green, weird things—” he paused, looking up addressing the extraterrestrial community that may or may not exist, “Sorry, not weird! Y’all are stunning! Please don’t eat me.”

“Nope” comes out in theaters on

as future pilot

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

ACTRESS Arci Muñoz is pursuing her dream to become a pilot.

In her Instagram account, Arci posted a video of the first day of her training.

“Everyone has oceans to fly, if they have the heart to do it. Is it reckless?

Maybe. But what do dreams know of boundaries?” Arci wrote, quoting American aviator Amelia Earhart.

Arci added that she feels enthusiastic in her pilot journey.

“Be a woman who rise above the ground breaking norms reach for yer dreams!

And be whoever you wanna

Singer-actress Arci Muñoz Photo from Instagram/@ramonathornes

be cos sky is ze limit!!” she said.

“Feeling enthusiastic about my #pilot journey!

Thank you for spreading my wings!” she added. g

Paulo Avelino on being a director

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actor Paulo Avelino admitted that young and aspiring directors inspire him to become a director someday.

Paulo Avelino Photo from Instagram/@pauavelino

In the Globe Prepaid’s GoWATCH Film Lab, Paulo said watching movies by young filmmakers inspires him.

“It inspires me in so many ways. One of my favorite things is to watch and see new talents being discovered and honed into someone who makes waves in the industry.

I’m so excited to see their projects and pitches,” Paulo said.

“To inspire me to become a director, maybe someday.

When I see these young people pitch their stories, parang minsan you get to realize that some people deserve a chance more than I do, so I like to see them do it before me,” he added. g

Aga stars in first...

PAGE 13 himself, Canlas shared that he immediately felt the pressure to work with Muhlach in this dramatic series”Noong nalaman ko na si Kuya Aga ang makakasama ko, grabe yung pressure.

Grabe yung kaba. But when I met Kuya Aga, he’s the most humble and grounded guy, sobra. It’s always fun to do scenes with him,” Canlas said.

“Of course, I have to take the challenge and syempre I want to deliver. I really prepare so hard. Minsan, I felt like I’m over preparing, nagpapatulong ako sa kanya. I like the pressure also because it challenges me na pag-igihin pa para when I get to work na, ready na ako sa kahit anong ibato sa akin ni Kuya Aga. He has a lot of surprises when we do scenes, so I have to be ready all the time,” he added.

Set primarily in the summer capital of the Philippines, Baguio City, “Suntok sa Buwan” is bound to inspire its viewers to overcome the challenges of life through love, hope, and sacrifice. It also stars Maris Racal, Matet de Leon, Paulo Angeles, Albie Casiño and Rez Cortez, among others. g

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