072722 - Southern California Midweek Edition

JULY 27-29, 2022 Volume 32 - No. 59 • 14 Pages

USA

DATELINE Immigration advocate, journalist Jose Antonio Vargas appointed to CSU Board of Trustees FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

FILIPINO journalist and immigration advocate Jose Antonio Vargas was appointed to the California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees, the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Friday, July 22 as part of a new class of higher education appointments in the state.

As founder of the immigrant education and advocacy group Define American, Vargas, 41, has also been a vocal proponent of undocumented students’ rights and the destigmatization of being undocumented.

“As a proud graduate of San Francisco State University—Class of 2004, before there was DACA, when the Dream Act was 3 years old, when there was little vocabulary and support for undocumented students—I am honored, humbled, and excited,” Vargas said in response to the appointment.

The CSU Board of Trustees is a 25-member group that oversees “regulations and policies governing the entire CSU system,” the largest four-year university system in the United States.

The CSU serves nearly a half million students within its 23 campuses and “are

Marcos’ first SONA: ‘The state of the nation is sound’

by NEIL

ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net

and his plans for the next six years.

Unlike his predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos generally did not deviate from his MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” written speech – mostly following each word and line Marcos Jr. delivered his first State of the Nation Address to a T. Marcos’ first SONA lasted for one hour and 13 (SONA), giving a glimpse of his first few days in office

Things Marcos left out in his first SONA

by FRANCO LUNA Philstar.com

 PAGE 2

NY man accused of punching elderly Filipina 125 times indicted on hate charges A SUSPECT seen in surveillance video punching an elderly Filipino woman 125 times and stomping on her body in Yonkers, New York, has been indicted on multiple hate crime charges.

Tammel Esco, 42, was arraigned on the indictment Tuesday on attempted murder in the second degree as a hate crime, attempted murder in the second degree, assault in the first degree as a hate crime, assault in the first degree, three counts of assault in the second degree as a hate crime and three counts of assault in the second degree, according to CNN. Esco pleaded not guilty and is being held without bail, a spokeswoman for Westchester District Attorney’s office said.  PAGE 5

VITAL MEASURES. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. urges Congress to pass 19 priority measures of his administration during his first State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 25. Also in photo were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (left) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

MANILA — Among other things, each president’s State of the Nation Address is expected to bring relief to millions of Filipinos and a plan for the task ahead, especially with the nation in the midst of crises on several fronts.

Like the SONAs of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Marcos was hoped to present a comprehensive pandemic roadmap with the Philippines still in the middle of yet another COVID-19 surge.

For most of his 90-day campaign, Marcos answered issues of various sectors by pointing back to his key campaign theme: Bringing the country together.

For his second national address after his inaugural speech, the chief executive did come armed with figures and statistics in his first State of the Nation Address and detailed some topics over others. Still, some questions remain: Which issues did he leave out? How will he work on them moving forward?

Here are a few top-of-mind concerns that the chief  PAGE 2

Embassy hosts FYLPRO 10th year anniversary: Reconnect and reunite WASHINGTON D.C. – In commemoration of its 10th anniversary, the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) held a reunion dinner at the Philippine Embassy Chancery Annex last July 22. The event was attended

by FYLPRO Officers, members, alumni, partners, Embassy officials, FYLPRO mentees, and other supporters.

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr. congratulated FYLPRO for their milestone achievements and for its positive impact in the Philippines and on the Filipino community in the United States. “I had the privilege of witnessing how FYLPRO evolved from the time of its launching to when its members started addressing existential questions and challenges such as whether or

not it should apply for 501(c)3 organization status or encouraging active participation among the alumni. And here you are now, a 501(c)3 organization celebrating its 10th anniversary!”

In response, FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao thanked the Embassy for its continued support for FYLPRO, its programs, and initiatives. She said “I was part of the last batch that went (to the Philippines) in 2019 and if you ask every single alumni that has gone through the immersion program of He’s back Former senator Juan Ponce Enrile takes his oath on Tuesday, July 26.

FYLPRO, they will tell you how life changing Malacañang photo this program has been and even more so how we’ve been able to pivot and really dig deep into who we a00re as Filipinos and  PAGE 5

Rappler CEO appeals CA ruling on cyber libel case

by TETCH

TORRES-TUPAS Inquirer.net

Rappler CEO and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa

minutes. In the end, Marcos said: “The state of the nation is sound.”

Economic goals Marcos began his address by defining the economic targets the administration has set for the next six  PAGE 2

MANILA — Rappler CEO and Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa and former researcher Reynaldo Santos Jr. have asked the Court of Appeals (CA) to reconsider its decision affirming their cyber libel conviction.

In its 32-page motion for reconsideration filed July 22 but made public Tuesday, Ressa and Santos, through the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), said the CA violated their rights when it extended the prescription period for cyber libel and applied Inquirer.net file photo it retroactively against the two.

“This Court erred in not recognizing that every doubt should be indulged in favor of appellants Santos Jr. and Ressa,” read the motion for reconsideration.

It explained that a fundamental principle in criminal law states that the case shall be resolved in favor of the accused in case of doubt.

“This rule commands courts such as this one that when the law admits of several competing interpretations, the interpretation most favorable to the accused should apply,” it said.

A prescriptive period is a  PAGE 7

Juan Ponce Enrile takes oath as President’s chief legal counsel

by CATHERINE

S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

FORMER Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile on Tuesday, July 26 took his oath as chief legal counsel of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., Malacañang said.

Press Secretary Rose Beatrix "Trixie" Cruz-Angeles said that Enrile was sworn into office by the President.

"I have formally appointed former Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile as chief presidential legal counsel," Marcos said in a social media post.

"I have full confidence in Enrile's ability and experience as a public servant, that's why I

hope that the provision of legal assistance on the future actions of our administration will be improved," he added.

Enrile, 98, was a staunch supporter of Marcos and Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio during the 2022 elections.

Following his nomination on June 17, Enrile reaffirmed his commitment to serve the country and ensure the success of the Marcos administration.

"I will devote my time and knowledge for the republic and for BBM (Bongbong Marcos) because I want him to succeed," he said.

Enrile had served in various  PAGE 3

2 JULY 27-29, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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Marcos’ first SONA...

PAGE 1 years—echoing the figures his economic team previously presented.

According to Marcos, the administration’s goal is to have a 6.5 to 8 percent real gross domestic product growth annually between 2023 to 2028 and reduce the country’s poverty rate to 9 percent by 2028.

Further, Marcos said tax administration reforms would be in place to increase revenue collection.

Among the initiatives the administration will push, Marcos said, is the levying of a valueadded tax on digital service providers.

“The initial revenue impact will be around P11.7 billion in 2023 alone,” Marcos said.

Agriculture Marcos, who serves as the concurrent agriculture chief, also focused on the critical issue of food security and the welfare of farmers and fishermen.

He said the loans and financial assistance for farmers and fishermen would be an “institution” in his administration.

Aside from institutionalizing loan programs, Marcos also vowed that the government would seek to provide cheaper farm inputs, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, and feeds while modernizing the agriculture and livestock industry through science and technology.

Further, Marcos also disclosed his plans to impose a one-year moratorium on the payment of land amortization and interest payments.

“A moratorium will give the farmers the ability to channel their resources in developing their farms, maximizing their capacity to produce, and propel the growth of our economy,” Marcos said.

Marcos also asked Congress to craft a law condoning the loans of agrarian reform beneficiaries.

Tourism, infrastructure, and digitalization Marcos said he would implement basic developments such as road improvements for easier access to tourism spots for the tourism sector.

“We will also upgrade our airports and create more international airports to help decongest the bottleneck at the Manila International Airport,”

Marcos said.

In terms of digitalization, Marcos said 30-million physical national IDs and 20-million digital IDs are expected to be issued by the end of the year.

Marcos also bared his order to the Department of Information and Communications: To establish the “Broad Band ng Masa” project.

For infrastructure, Marcos said he would expand former president Duterte’s Build, Build, Build program.

“Once again, I will not suspend any of the ongoing projects as those have already been shown to be of benefit to the public that they serve,” Marcos said.

Health and social welfare Marcos said no more lockdowns will be imposed in the country despite the increase in COVID-19 infections.

The President also promised to establish the Philippines’ own Center for Disease Control and Prevention and a vaccine institute while stressing the need to establish more health centers and hospitals across the country.

“One of the cornerstones of a strong healthcare system is the provision of competent and efficient medical professionals.

We will exert all efforts to improve the welfare of our doctors, nurses, and other medical frontliners,” Marcos said.

Marcos also made his order to the Department of Social Welfare and Development clear: Implement faster response for calamity victims.

“Ang mga field office nila ay inatasan na maagang maglagak ng family food packs at non-food essentials sa mga LGU, bago pa man manalasa ang anumang kalamidad,” Marcos said.

Marcos said there should also be better coordination between the DSWD and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development for the improved implementation of the “Emergency Shelter Assistance Program” for calamity victims.

Marcos also echoed his earlier order to cleanse the list of beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps).

Education Marcos backed the return to full face-to-face classes, saying Education Secretary and Vice-

From the Front Page

President Sara Duterte, is now preparing for its implementation in the next school year.

“This is one of the reasons I have directed the Department of Health and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to undertake another rollout of booster shots,” Marcos said.

The President also took note of the discussions on the K-to12 education system, saying it is being carefully reviewed.

“As for the ‘horror’ stories that we have heard about the poor quality of educational materials and supplies that are being given to our schools — this must end!”

Marcos said.

The country must also do better in the international rankings, especially regarding the STEM subject, said Marcos.

Marcos said it is up to the country’s educational system to develop and refine its incredible talent pool.

Foreign policy and migrant workers Regarding foreign policy, Marcos said he would “not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of the territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power.”

“With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all. And an enemy to none,” Marcos said.

“The Philippines has always been open and welcoming to all our foreign friends and visitors.

That is our world view, and that is our culture,” he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos said the government would launch a command center that mainly focuses on overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in distress and needing to be repatriated back to the Philippines.

Marcos also vowed to remove red tape in pursuing digital empowerment, noting plans to automate the verification of contracts and issue secure Overseas Employment Certifications that can be kept in smartphones.

He called on the Department of Migrant Workers to make this initiative a top priority.

The President also said the Philippine government is PAGE 3

Immigration advocate, journalist Jose Antonio...

PAGE 1 home to thousands of immigrant students and students of immigrant families of all backgrounds,” Vargas wrote.

Vargas, who published his memoir “Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen," is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, having worked as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle from 2000 to 2004 and the Washington Post from 2004 to 2009, and as a senior contributing editor for the Huffington Post from 2009 to 2010.

In addition to Vargas, Leslie Gilbert-Lurie, an author and consultant in the mass media space, was appointed to the CSU Board of Trustees. Newsom also announced the appointments of

Elaine Batchlor, Carmen Chu, Ana Matosantos, and Mark Robinson to the University of California Board of Regents.

“These leaders from diverse backgrounds, walks of life and California regions bring a broad swath of expertise and experience to our world-class colleges and universities at a pivotal time for our state,” Newsom said in a press statement. “I look forward to continuing our work in partnership with the state’s higher education leaders to expand access to more students, create debt-free pathways, eliminate equity gaps and increase opportunities for the next generation of leaders to achieve their dreams and build a brighter future for our state.” (By Jose Antonio Vargas Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

File photo

Things Marcos left out in his...

PAGE 1

executive skimmed over or skipped: 1. Human rights and the war on drugs Not once did the chief executive mention human rights and illegal drugs in his speech.

Under former President Rodrigo Duterte's flagship campaign against illegal narcotics, official police figures acknowledge over 6,200 deaths in anti-drug operations since July 2016.

Police leadership earlier claimed the number was as high as 8,000 but eventually dialed this back by thousands without explanation. However, rights groups both here and abroad say the real number may be as high as 30,000.

Marcos has said he intended to pursue Duterte's drug war with a different approach, but he has not signaled if he would cooperate with the International Criminal Court's investigation.

At an earlier webinar, former PCGG commissioner Ruben Carranza said the Marcos family intends to maintain Duterte.

"Any action that will open accountability of presidents past and even further in the past will obviously re-open questions around the accountability of the Marcos family. And the Marcoses will defend their illgotten wealth for as long as they

can," he said.

2.

Labor issues and contractualization Marcos touched on agrarian reform, poor workplace conditions and intellectual property problems of those in creative industries. He also urged the Department of Migrant Workers to ensure it was accessible to overseas Filipino workers.

The president, however, made scant mention of other issues facing workers.

Workers from various sectors and industries gathered earlier ahead of Marcos' SONA, dubbed the State of the Labor Address to discuss the current situation of workers in the Philippines.

In her speech at the event, Julie Ann Gutierrez of Kilos Na Manggagawa lamented the current state of contractual workers in the country.

"The number of contractual workers has worsened and increased. Out of ten workers, six or seven are contractual.

We have no job security, low wages, when it comes to layoffs, we will be the first to be fired," she said in Filipino.

"As the newly seated president said, our dreams are also his.

But our dream is to be regular, to end contractualization in the country, and to be given an adequate and living wage."

Doing away with the practice of endo contractualization was among former President Rodrigo Duterte's main campaign promises until he eventually vetoed the anti-endo bill.

3. The transport crisis Commuter woes have been the new norm ever since the government's coronavirus task force loosened quarantine rules to general community quarantine in June.

While Marcos did touch on public transportation, particularly on the need to improve railways, he only did so mostly in the context of infrastructure projects he wanted his administration to push.

Transport groups have long been warning of another "shock" in the ongoing commuter crisis with most public transportation unprepared to take on the additional demand from students trooping back to schools.

What the chief executive did mention was that the Duterte administration's infrastructure campaign would be continued moving forward. This included upgrading airports and constructing more international airports to address bottlenecks in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

PAGE 3

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Things Marcos left out in his...

PAGE 2

"It is my belief that we have missed a great opportunity to develop our rail transport system," Marcos said.

"It is clear in my mind that railways offer great potential as it continues to be the cheapest way of transporting goods and passengers."

Marcos reiterated the unfinished infrastructure projects started under the Duterte administration, saying these are being studied by his government, including: • North-South Commuter Railway System • Metro Manila Subway Project • North-South Commuter Railway System • LRT-1 Cavite Extension • MRT-7 •.Common Station that will connect LRT-1, MRT-3, and MRT-7.

He did not mention road transport woes in the capital region or the canceled Metro Manila Bus Rapid Transit Line 1 project. He did promise "to improve our roads."

Transport experts have said the Duterte administration was loosely focused on rail transport, which is only one part of the metro's complex transport woes.

In an online message sent to Philstar.com, Move as One coalition convenor and transport economist Robert Siy pointed out that "Metro Manila and many Philippine cities are in a transportation crisis."

"While railways will produce results in the longer term (some rail projects will take more than 10 years), Filipino commuters need better mobility today. This means investing much more in road-based public transportation and in infrastructure for safe walking and cycling in every city," he said.

Out of the planned spending for infrastructure of 5-6 percent of GDP, the Move as One transport coalition suggested a target spending of 1.5 percent of GDP for road-based public transportation and for safe walking and cycling.

"Railways should remain part of the investment mix, but better balance across travel modes is needed for earlier and broad-based results," Siy said.

4. The fuel crisis Speaking of the transport

crisis, commuter groups and collectives representing transport workers have pointed out that reduced transport supply on the roads is largely caused by drivers looking for work opportunities elsewhere.

Skyrocketing gas prices are also behind muddled supply chains around the world and fueling inflation closer to home.

What Marcos put forward as a solution to the problem was urging more "ayuda" or aid and fuel subsidies, particularly in the agricultural sector.

Marcos said oil supply is expected to catch up and stabilize over the medium term with prices of crude oil barrels expected to settle down towards the end of 2022.

He also urged Congress to oversee the enactment of an enabling law for the natural gas industry.

"This primarily seeks to foster the development of the Midstream Natural Gas Industry in a bid to strengthen Philippine energy security by diversifying the country’s primary sources of energy and promoting the role of natural gas as a complementary fuel to variable renewable energy," he said.

5. The how in blended learning Marcos simply reiterated the Department of Education's statement that it was preparing for the push for in-person classes by November.

Prior to the SONA, the president asserted that blended learning can still be done in some areas given the litany of issues that might arise.

This, despite DepEd Order 32 s. 2022 banning any form of “purely distance learning” and blended learning in any school beyond October 31, with the department adopting in its place a policy pushing for the full implementation of the fiveday in-person classes.

Vice President Sara Duterte, concurrently education secretary, explained in a statement issued later on that "face-to-face classes shall be the priority and blended modality shall be considered only in specific schools and areas with special circumstances."

To date, neither Marcos nor Duterte have disclosed which schools and areas are being

considered for the setup.

Marcos instead said Monday that "it is up to our education system to refine [our] great pool of talent." He also said that the question of the country's medium of instruction in schools "should be continuously questioned."

6. Arbitral award While he touched on his administration's "friends to all, enemy to none" foreign policy, Marcos made no mention of how he intends to assert the arbitral ruling that is irking Beijing over the South China Sea. He did, however, receive applause and standing ovation for declaring that he will "not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power."

He added, meanwhile, that his government "will stand firm in our independent foreign policy, with the national interest as our primordial guide. We commit to maintaining good relations with the rest of the world."

A Senate resolution has been filed urging President Marcos to resume bilateral talks with China to promote cooperation on oil and gas development in the West Philippine Sea. Former foreign affairs secretary Albert del Rosario has also urged Marcos to uphold the country's 2016 arbitral ruling before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the West Philippine Sea. "With respect to our place in the community of nations, the Philippines shall continue to be a friend to all, and an enemy to none. The Philippines has always been open and welcoming to all our foreign friends and visitors. That is our worldview, and that is our culture," Marcos said.

"We will be a good neighbor — always looking for ways to collaborate and cooperate with the end goal of mutually beneficial outcomes. If we agree, we will cooperate and we will work together. If we differ, let us talk some more until we develop consensus."

In a statement sent to reporters, Infrawatch PH said that Marcos in his SONA "failed to mention how he will deal with China, particularly the fate of ongoing and prospective PAGE 7

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 27-29, 2022 3

Marcos’ first SONA...

PAGE 2 coordinating with the government of Saudi Arabia to open deployment to the mid-eastern country.

Priority measures In the latter part of his speech, Marcos laid down his priority measures which are as follows: • National Government Rightsizing Program (NGRP) • Budget Modernization Bill; • Tax Package 3: Valuation Reform Bill • Tax Package 4: Passive Income and Financial Intermediary Taxation Act (PIFITA) • E-Government Act

• Internet Transaction Act or E-Commerce Law • Government Financial Institutions Unified Initiatives to Distressed Enterprises for Economic Recovery (GUIDE) • Medical Reserve Corps • National Disease Prevention Management Authority • Department of Water Resources • Unified System of Separation, Retirement and Pension • E-Governance Act • National Land Use Act • National Defense Act • Mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) and

National Service Training Program (NSTP) • Enactment of an Enabling Law for the Natural Gas Industry • Amendments to the Electric Power Industry Reform Act or EPIRA • Amendments to the BuildOperate-Transfer (BOT) Law “We have assembled the best Filipino minds to help navigate us through this time of global crisis,” Marcos said.

“We will endure. Let our Filipino spirit ever remain undimmed. I know this in my mind, in my heart, in my very soul that,” he added. 

Juan Ponce Enrile takes oath as President’s...

PAGE 1

roles for the past 50 years, including interim Secretary of Finance from 1966 to 1968, Secretary of Justice from 1968 to 1970 and Minister of National Defense from 1972 to 1986.

When Marcos' father, the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr., declared martial law in

1972, Enrile served as Defense minister.

However, he played a key role in the 1986 EDSA Revolution that resulted in the ousting of the elder Marcos.

Enrile spent four terms in the Senate and became the 21st Senate president during the 15th Congress from 2008 to 2013.

GROW

He also served one term in the House of Representatives as the representative of Cagayan's first district.

In 2016, Enrile announced his plan to retire from public service.

However, three years after his supposed retirement, he joined but lost the 2019 Senate race. 

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Family photo of FYLPRO and its partners. Seated left to right - Embassy Vice Consul Mark Dominic E. Lim, FYLPRO President Leezel Tanglao, Embassy Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Jaime Ramon T. Ascalon, Jr., Embassy Consul General Iric C. Arribas, and Ms. Nancy Hsiung from the Booz Allen Foundation

Embassy hosts FYLPRO 10th year...

PAGE 1

what it means to be a Filipino American both from the global sense and domestically. Even a pandemic could not stop us from serving our community in so many ways.” Ms. Tanglao also announced the resumption of the FYLPRO Immersion program which is scheduled for November 2022.

As part of the celebration, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. Ascalon and former FYLPRO President Louella Rose Cabalona concluded the formal turnover of the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Embassy, FYLPRO, and the Ayala Foundation Inc (AFI) extending our partnership until December 2025. The MOU was signed via a virtual ceremony last December 2021.

Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) is a 501c3 organization comprising a network of high-performing,

next-generation leaders who advance the Philippines and the Filipino people through their advocacy and expertise in various industries. They continually expand the pipeline of Filipino young leaders in the diaspora. By connecting them to the motherland, they foster collaborative multinational relationships that create innovations and support the socio-economic progress of the global Filipino community.

FYLPRO has partnered with the Philippine Embassy and the Ayala Foundation Inc. (AFI) to annually identify outstanding young professionals in the Filipino communities across the United States and provide the delegates with invaluable community, business, and government insights and access to distinguished network captains of industry and government.

FYLPRO supports various

causes and civic engagement initiatives such as the Caretaker Project, funded by a Booz Allen Foundation Innovation grant, and the Project Ligtas Bata.

The Caretaker Project is intended to connect Filipinos with vital, culturally relevant services; debunk misinformation; and improve collection of data to better serve the community.

This project aims to fill gaps in services for the most vulnerable social groups — seniors, frontline workers, and the unemployed.

Meanwhile, Project Ligtas Bata, a web-based international campaign to combat the commercial and online sexual exploitation of Filpino children.

The aim of this campaign is to promote awareness, prevention, and support for child victims in the Philippines.

For further information on FYLPRO and their projects, please visit https://fylpro.org/ and https://ligtasbata.com/. g

NY man accused of punching elderly Filipina...

PAGE 1

He is due back in a New York courtroom August 2.

Graphic surveillance video posted by Yonkers police shows the brutal March 11 attack on the 67-year-old woman of Filipino descent. Prosecutors said Esco called her “Asian b*tch” shortly before attacking.

The woman was in her apartment building vestibule and putting her keys in the door as Esco entered the building behind her and allegedly punched her

in the head, knocking her to the ground. Esco punched her more than 100 times as she lay on the ground, stomped on her body repeatedly and spit on her, according to the felony complaint.

The victim suffered brain bleeding, multiple facial fractures, among other injuries, prosecutors said.

Bottom of Form A witness, Yvette Crespo, said she saw the attack as it happened. As Esco saw her

knocking on doors to alert neighbors, he allegedly stopped.

“He went out that door, went to the corner, put his hands up,” she said.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of people in the U.S. have been victims of anti-Asian verbal abuse and physical attacks.

The Philippine Consulate in New York says its recorded 26 attacks on Filipinos in the New York area in the last year.

(Inquirer.net)

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OPINION

FEATURES

Wish list

THE new adminis-tration inherited a deadly and economically crippling pandemic, a heavy debt that was incurred to respond to the health crisis, surging fuel prices, a much weakened peso as well as crises in agriculture, food security and education.

Today President Marcos is expected to expound on the broad strokes that he painted in his inaugural address, enumerating specific policies to carry out his priorities in his first year in office.

This being his first State of the Nation Address, he is also expected to bare his long-term goals for the next six years.

In the light of fiscal constraints, he has said he would rely more on public-private partnerships to carry out key infrastructure and development projects. As he draws up his roadmap, local business groups and foreign chambers have released a wish list of sorts, pushing for the passage of 24 measures under the 19th Congress.

Since the President wants stronger partnerships with the private sector, he can urge his super majority in Congress to consider many of the proposed measures. Seven reached advanced stages of approval in the 18th Congress. These are the bills on the liberalization of foreign equity restrictions in the Constitution, open access in data transmission, ease of paying taxes, promotion of digital payments, and reforms in property valuation and assessment reforms as well as capital income and financial taxes.

A push for the creation of a Department of Disaster Resilience may have to take a backseat as the Department of Budget and Management pursues rightsizing in the bureaucracy, which is

expected to involve cutting jobs.

A test of the new administration’s commitment to transparency will be the passage of a Freedom of Information Act – a measure that has been kicked around by lawmakers for many years now. Also likely to be contentious is the proposed measure, backed by the Department of Finance, to ease bank deposit secrecy laws.

Other measures pushed by the six major business groups and six foreign chambers are amendments of two laws to promote hybrid or flexible work schedules in economic zones, and amendments of laws on the PPP and build-operatetransfer scheme. Also pushed are amendments to the E-Commerce Act, Intellectual Property Code and the charter of the Philippine Ports Authority.

The groups also seek laws on national unemployment insurance and pandemic protection, the repeal of the Flag Act, creation of a Philippine Airports Authority, rationalizing holidays, reforming the apprenticeship program, easing of ownership rules in agricultural lands, promoting satellite-based technologies and international maritime trade competitiveness, and strengthening the pension system.

There’s a lot on everyone’s plate, apart from these proposed economic measures. With Congress officially beginning its session, both Malacañang and the legislature must buckle down to work. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Life expectancy among Asian populations dropped three years during COVID-19 Commentary

DR. DALI FAN, UC DAVIS HEALTH LIFE expectancy has dropped for all Californians during the pandemic, including Asian populations who have historically had the longest life expectancy among all racial groups in the U.S., according to a new study released by the Journal of the American Medical Association.

The study, which analyzed 1.9 million deaths from 2015 to 2021, shows that the life expectancy for Asian

Getting vaccinated provides best defense to staying safer and keeping life expectancy higher populations in California fell by three years—from 86.6 years in 2019 to 83.5 years in 2021— with life expectancy dropping for Hispanic populations by 5.7 years, Black populations by 3.8 years, and white populations by 1.9 years.

While “life expectancy” is not an actual measure of life spans, researchers use this hypothetical measure of how long those born in a specific year will live based on that year’s mortality rates to better understand loss of life within populations.

Many factors contribute to life expectancy, including socioeconomic status, ethnicity, access to healthcare, and in this case, vaccination

rates.

The study correlates the drop in life expectancy with exposure to COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and death rates, suggesting that getting vaccinated significantly impacted life expectancy outcomes. The highest rates of vaccination are among the Asian and white populations, which the study found had led to the lowest drops in life expectancy.

Given the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our lives and the countless lives it has taken, the drop of life expectancy isn’t entirely unexpected. The reality is—it could have been much worse.

As scientists learn more about

the devastating effects the COVID-19 illness has had on our society, especially the effects of long COVID in children and adults, taking critical steps to stay healthy with vaccination, boosters, testing and masking in high-risk situations can help protect your longevity.

As of early July, 38 of California’s 58 counties were experiencing high case rates and hospitalizations. Highly infectious variants of Omicron are now accounting for most cases nationwide, many being reinfections of those who have already had COVID-19.

There is no reason to delay getting vaccinated, as this study emphasizes what we

already know—COVID-19 vaccines remain the safest and most effective way to prevent severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19.

Free COVID-19 vaccines for the entire family, and everyone ages 6 months and older, are now available everywhere, making it easy and convenient to provide your family with this layer of protection.

Public health officials are continuing to monitor COVID-19 community-level and statewide data to protect the health and well-being of all Californians, keep schools safe for in-person instruction, and allow California’s economy to remain open and thrive.

By getting vaccinated, boosted and taking proper precautions such as masking, hand washing and watching your distance while encouraging others to do the same, you are keeping yourself safe and doing your part to help Californian recover.

There is no time to delay, schedule your vaccination appointment today.

Vaccination or booster appointments can be made by visiting Myturn.ca.gov or by calling 833-422-4255. *** 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.

Waiting to see

Social Climate MAHAR MANGAHAS A PRESIDENTIAL State of the Nation Address (SONA) is a president’s version of the nation’s journey—where it is now, how it came this way, and where he plans to lead it.

A SONA covers whatever a president wants it to. A listener’s expectation of it depends on what the listener thinks the word “nation” means.

What is the state of the people? I think “nation” refers, above all, to the Filipino people. What our weather satellite sees about the people is the continued dominance of the pandemic in their lives.

They are very hopeful about the future, but at the same time very nervous about the persistence of danger—“First Quarter 2022 Social Weather Survey: A record high 83% of Filipinos are hopeful the worst of the COVID-19 crisis is behind us,” with the subtitle, “Those worried somewhat or a great deal about catching COVID-19 remain at 88%,” www.sws.org. ph, 7/20/2022.

COVID is not all, of course.

As a comprehensive guide for assessing the state of a people, I recommend the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (sdgs.un.org): 1. No poverty 2. Zero hunger 3. Good health

and well-being 4. Quality education 5. Gender equality 6. Clean water and sanitation 7. Affordable and clean energy 8. Decent work and economic growth 9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure 10. Reduced inequalities 11. Sustainable cities and communities 12.

Responsible consumption and production 13. Climate action 14. Life below water 15. Life on land 16. Peace, justice, and strong institutions 17.

Partnerships to achieve the goals.

I think that poverty and hunger are intentionally the first two on the list, i.e., meant to take priority. I know for a fact that they are strongly and immediately harmed by inflation, but only mildly and in the long run relieved by economic growth.

Hence my advice is “Watch poverty, not economic growth,” and “Fight inflation, not prices” (5/21/22, 6/25/22). The historically worst inflation and the worst poverty happened in 1984-85, during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. What is the state of the new administration?

The composition of the new Cabinet is gradually emerging, with many experienced and reputable technocrats, such as in finance, central banking, budgeting, economic planning, trade, and natural resources.

I am confident that they know how not to worsen inflation. The

University of the Philippines is well represented, particularly my alma mater, the UP School of Economics, of which former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is an alumna.

Will President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte truly handle the departments of agriculture and education themselves? I wonder why the departments of defense (DND) and of science and technology (DOST) only have officers in charge so far. How about someone from the Navy or Air Force, instead of the Army, for the DND? And someone from the UP Marine Science Institute for the DOST? And a social work professional, like the late Corazon “Dinky” Soliman, for the department of social work and development?

Will the Cabinet have any Marcos Jr. classmates? Or San Sebastian-Recoletos classmates of the vice president?

In general, it would be good to see Cabinet and nearCabinet officials recruited from the Career Executive Service (CES), rather than from the retired military. The CES is the civilian counterpart of the military; it is a legacy of O.D. Corpuz, based on his Ph.D. dissertation on the Philippine bureaucracy.

I hope there will be no knee-jerk tinkering with the conditional cash transfer

PBBM 1st SONA. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. delivers his speech on his plans for the country during his first State of the Nation Address at the Batasang Pambansa Complex in Quezon City on Monday, July 25. Also in photo were Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri (left) and House Speaker Martin Romualdez (right).

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

(CCT) program. CCT is an intergenerational program— the support should last up to completion of senior high school, but certainly no less than junior high school, so that the children can get better jobs than their parents. SWS has done scientific surveys that show that CCT transfers do not go to parental alcohol or gambling—ask the Philippine

Institute for Development Studies and the Asian Development Bank, which received and studied the data.

Now let us wait to see the state of the new president.

If he had joined any debates during the election campaign, he might have given us a line comparable to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s “jet-skiing” to the Chinese

outposts in the West Philippine Sea. So far, the only thing we remember is a promise of “P20 rice.” (Inquirer.net) *** 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.

*** Contact: mahar.mangahas@sws.org.ph

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Things Marcos left out in his...

PAGE 3

development loans."

"Policy clarity on Malacañang’s current relationship with Beijing is essential to determine whether the President will accept new development loan proposals from China, after years of delay in the last administration," Infrawatch convenor Terry Ridon said.

"This will determine whether new Chinese loans will be subject to competitive and concessional interest rates, and whether Chinese laborers will continue to be used in place of Filipino workers in several projects," he also said.

"This will also determine whether the new President will continue his predecessor’s unpatriotic surrender of West Philippine Sea interests in exchange for the promise of development loans from China."

7. Peace talks Marcos made no mention of the communist insurgency, or the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict's recommendation for amnesty for armed insurgents.

National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos already said the task force had made the recommendation but was yet to iron out any details. She said the final decision on amnesty and even peace talks was still up to Marcos.

Carlos has made clear her stance against red-tagging, which she called "lazy and unproductive," but it is unclear if this will result in changes in the national government's approach to fighting the communist rebellion.

At the NTF-ELCAC's first meeting, Peace Process Secretary Carlito Galvez claimed that peace talks with rebels are still ongoing but are "more localized" this time around, as he asserted that national peace talks, which were cut short by no less than former President Rodrigo Duterte, never yielded results.

Galvez said localized peace engagements worked in some regions as “the dynamic of conflicts is different in different areas.”

8. Crime and corruption Ahead of the SONA, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos told reporters that he expected the president to touch on safety and security in the country.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivers his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25, 2022.

Philstar.com photo

Marcos' speech did not explicity include a mention of crime, corruption, safety, or security in the country and, in contrast to former President Rodrigo Duterte's SONAs, did not issue any directives to law enforcement personnel.

But he pushed for Congress to pass the National Defense Act which he said was meant "to provide for a change in the military structure of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that is more responsive to current and future non-conventional security threats to the country’s territorial integrity and national sovereignty."

Responding to those who point out that the president missed out on anti-corruption policies in his SONA, newly installed Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri argued, in an interview with CNN Philippines' "The Source" on Tuesday: "He did through the digital framework for government."

While not specifying digitization as an anti-corruption measure, Marcos instructed the Department of Information and Communications Technology to oversee the task of "transforming our government into an agile bureaucracy that is responsive to the needs of the public, provide good and solid data to ensure informed decision-making, as well as allow secure and seamless access to public services."

Senators urge solutions to Filipinos’ problems

According to a survey of 1,200 adult Filipinos by Pulse Asia, the top “urgent national concerns” of Filipinos from June 24 to June 27 include: • Controlling inflation (57%) • Increasing pay of workers (45%) • Reducing poverty of Filipinos (33%) • Creating more jobs (29%) • Fighting graft and corruption (20%) “He can be very honest that these are the problems of the country, because that is what he has come to as president,” Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano told reporters at a press briefing in Pasay City.

“But what we need is the creativity and innovation in facing it.”

In a separate interview aired over CNN Philippines’ “The Source,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said that the Marcos administration “has to lay out a plan to navigate us through these external factors” behind many of the country’s problems.

“We're facing a lot of pressures from inflation from external factors, and we need to address that at least in the next two to three years. As long as there is that incident in Ukraine and also, the Feds hiking interest rates will face a lot of pressures here in the Philippines, especially on inflation,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros at her State of the People Address also cautioned Filipinos that administration officials would play down real concerns over the national situation.

"I think we need to call this administration’s attention to the unseen and unmonitored suffering and fragility in the lives and livelihoods of ordinary Filipinos. Can we still endure?

Is there anything left in the socalled resiliency of the Filipinos, even though aid is always late and lacking?" she said.

"Let's not pretend that our so-called experts fully understand the extent and depth of the financial problems left behind by the previous administration…The new administration may have their pre-conceived notions. They will be resistant to information; they will implement top-down policies from their golden age; they will say that the situation is not really as bad as we portray it.” g

Dateline USa

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • JULY 27-29, 2022

7

AFTER THE RAIN. Members of militant groups in Tandang Sora along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City disperse amid light rains on Monday, July 25 ahead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA). Based on their agreement with the Philippine National Police, protesters were only allowed to hold their activities in the area until noon.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Rappler CEO appeals CA ruling...

PAGE 1 period set under the law within which a complaint can be filed.

For example, under the Revised Penal Code, prescription period for libel is one year. However, the Manila Court that convicted both Ressa and Santos said the prescription should be 12 years.

But the Court of Appeals said under Article 90 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), the prescription shall be 15 years.

The CA also increased the penalty imposed against Ressa and Santos Jr. from six months and a day to six years in jail to six months and a day up to six years, eight months and 20 days.

FLAG said that while the Cybercrime Prevention Act aggravates penalties when ‘computer systems are used, “it intentionally remained silent on the prescriptive period of libel.”

“For this Court to entangle the penalty attached to libel with its prescriptive period goes far beyond judicial interpretation because Article 90 of the RPC is clear and requires no interpretation: libel or other similar offenses, regardless of penalty, shall prescribe in one year,” read the motion.

They added that the CA erred in relying on the Tolentino vs.

People case when it issued its ruling against Ressa and Santos Jr. because the case was resolved

through an unsigned resolution and, under the Supreme Court’s Internal Rules, it has no doctrinal value.

Rappler has been fighting at least a dozen court cases, including the shutdown order issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). g

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFQ NO. MTL2304763 CLIP-E-2055 PANDROL GALVANIZED The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking quotes for the replenishment of Clip-E-2055 Pandrol Galvanized.

Bid documents may be obtained at https://metrolinktrains. com/doing-business (free registration). Electronic Bids are due at 2:00 p.m. (PT) on 08/12/2022.

For further information, contact Brian Jacob, Senior Contract Administrator, at (213) 452-0316 or jacobb@scrra.net.

7/27/22 CNS-3604259# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL LACMTA will receive Proposals for PS83011 Managed Print and Digital Copy Services at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/ Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

All Proposals must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, August 8, 2022. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. PS83011.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Antonio Monreal at monrealan@metro.net.

7/27/22 CNS-3608589# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

8 JULY 27-29, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

Dateline PhiliPPines

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PH House names Rep. Sandro Marcos Sandiganbayan affirms dismissal of senior deputy majority leader ill-gotten wealth case vs. Marcoses MANILA, Philippines — The majority bloc at the House of Representatives has elected rookie legislator Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos (Ilocos Norte) — the president's son and House speaker's nephew — a senior deputy majority leader.

The younger Marcos nominated his uncle, Rep. Martin Romualdez, for the House speakership at the opening of the 19th Congress’ first regular session at the Batasang Pambansa on Monday, July 25.

Romualdez was mentor to Rep. Marcos, who was on his staff when he was majority leader in the 18th Congress. Romualdez said during the campaign that the younger Marcos is ready to join the House because he "spent two years working in my office doing his congressional training, with no less than myself supervising and overseeing him."

Under the Constitution, each chamber of Congress chooses such other officers it may deem necessary for its operation.

The president's son is now senior deputy to Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe (Zamboanga City, 2nd District), whose primary function, aside from being the spokesman of the majority bloc, is to direct the deliberations on the floor.

MANILA – The Sandiganbayan affirmed its decision to dismiss a government lawsuit seeking to recover the Currimao Beach House and several other properties from the Marcos family.

In a 12-page resolution dated July 22, 2022, the Sandiganbayan 4th Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to reverse its December 16, 2019 ruling that dismisses its bid for reversion, reconveyance, restitution, accounting of supposed ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses allegedly amounting to P200 billion, as well as damages.

Before the December 16, 2019, ruling, the Sandiganbayan ordered the PCGG to submit its report on the status of the properties that it is trying to recover from the Marcoses.

The court said a sweeping dismissal of the entire complaint on the ground of the Best Evidence Rule (now Original Document Rule) “is not warranted” since many of the subject properties have long been recovered by the government.

Based on the compliance

report submitted by the PCGG, the Sandiganbayan noted that many of the properties subject to the present case have already been recovered or transferred to third persons not a party to the case.

These include, among others, shares of stock under the IRC Group of Companies ceded to the government by virtue of a compromise agreement with Jose Campos and private in 1994; 526 pieces of sequestered art collections already turned over to the PCGG and presently under the custody of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas for safekeeping; the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company’s 111,415 shares in the of PTIC which were disposed of in 2006 through public bidding in favor of Metro Pacific Assets Holdings, Inc. for a price of P25.2 billion; and the Marcos peso and dollar deposits in Security Bank and Trust Corporation in the amount of P934.6 million and $8 million, respectively, were released/paid to PCGG in 1992 and remitted to the Bureau of Treasury for agrarian reform fund.

Based on the report, the Sandiganbayn noted that only four properties have remained under the control of the

JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" Remulla on Tuesday rebuffed calls to drop the drug charges filed against former senator Leila De Lima.

Remulla said De Lima's case "is a judicial matter" thus they would wait for the outcome of the trial before the Regional Trial Court of Muntinlupa City.

De Lima is accused of benefiting from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prisons (NBP) when she was

justice secretary.

Reacting to the resolution filed

by Senators Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III and Ana Theresia "Risa" Hontiveros urging the DoJ to withdraw the remaining charges against De Lima, and to release her from her unjust and arbitrary detention, Remulla declared that the matter "was already within the jurisdiction of the Muntinlupa Trial Court, which has the sole power and authority to act on the pending

by TeTch

Torres-Tupas Inquirer.net

This detail from the House of Representatives stream shows Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos nominating his uncle, Rep. Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, to the speakership of the House of the 19th Congress on July 25.

Photo courtesy the House of Representatives

"In the present setup of the House, the majority leader is concurrently the chairman of the Committee on Rules. As such, all matters relevant to the Rules of the House, specifically the calendar of bills, preparation of Order of Business and Calendar of Business are within his responsibilities," House rules read.

Rep. Marcos has filed the following bills at the House so far: • HB No.3, or the proposed E-Governance Act; • HB No.4, or the Internet Transactions Act;

• HB No.8, or the Free legal assistance for police and soldiers; • HB No.10 , or the Creation of the Virology Institute of the Philippines • HB No.11, or the National Defense Act; • HB No.12, or Rightsizing the national government; • HB No.14, or the SIM Card Registration Act; • HB No.18, or the Government Procurement Act; • HB No.20, or the Apprenticeship bill. (Philstar. com)

“beyond sufficient to lead us to great heights” and appealed to look beyond the new speaker’s familial ties with the Marcoses.

Reps. Ralph Recto, Isidro Ungab, Roberto Puno, Camille Villar, Kristine Singson-Meehan, Raymond Democrito Mendoza and Aurelio Gonzales seconded the nomination of Romualdez.

House members cited Romualdez's leadership, work ethic and his consensusbuidling as qualities that make him an ideal speaker.

There were no other nominations for speaker of the House.

The lower chamber of Congress has typically been controlled by the sitting administration, as House leaders — who are usually allies of the president — regulate funding for lawmakers’ projects for their constituents.

Romualdez had prior experience in this, having been the majority leader throughout the 18th Congress despite serving under two different speakers — now Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and then Rep. Lord Allan Velasco (Marinduque).

The two were his opponents for the heated speakership fight at the beginning of the previous Congress, where then President Rodrigo Duterte had to intervene and broker an agreement where Cayetano and Velasco split the term and Romualdez sat as majority leader.

The battle for the speakership this time around was far less

dramatic as Romualdez clinched early on the support of the major political parties that compose the House. It also helped that he is president of Lakas-CMD, which is emerging as one of the dominant parties in the chamber.

As speaker, Romualdez said among his priorities are next year’s national budget, a new stimulus package aimed at helping the country recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and postponing the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan polls scheduled in December.

Members who vote for the winning candidate for speaker become part of the majority and can elect their majority leader.

Meanwhile, Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe (Zamboanga City) was elected majority leader, a post which essentially serves as the speaker's right hand in shepherding measures in the chamber.

Rep. Gloria MacapagalArroyo, former president and House speaker, was elected senior deputy speaker, while Reps. Isidro Ungab (Davao City), Roberto Puno (Antipolo City), Camille Villar (Las Piñas City), Kristine Singson-Meehan (Ilocos Sur) and Raymond Democrito Mendoza (TUCP party-list) were elected deputy speakers.

The deputy speakership is a plum post which comes with an additional annual budget for their respective offices and voting powers in all committees in the chamber. g

Marcoses–the Currimao Beach House registered in the name of Ferdinand E. Marcos; the house in Pandacan, Manila, under the full control and supervision of the Marcoses and registered in the name of heirs of Vicente Romualdez; the Batac Museum which is under the control and supervision of the Marcoses; and the Batac Guest House, also under the control and supervision of the Marcoses.

The Sandiganbayan said it has allowed the PCGG to boost its case by submitting additional evidence.

However, the anti-graft court said the PCGG failed to do so as the latter manifested in its compliance submitted on April 25, 2022 that “all material and relevant documents and pieces of evidence for the instant case have already been presented during the trial.”

“Considering that the evidence already offered by the plaintiff during trial do not sufficiently establish its claims as to the properties mentioned above that are purportedly still within the Marcoses’ control, the Court is constrained to deny the plaintiffs motion for reconsideration dated December 29, 2019 as regard to the said properties,” the Sandiganbayan declared. g

Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez is new House speaker DOJ rebuffs calls to drop drug charges vs De Lima

by Xave

GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — An overwhelming majority of 283 members of the House of Representatives on Monday, july 25 elected Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte) as the chamber’s next speaker, a position that he ran for unopposed.

There were four abstentions, and one nay vote. Another 22 members of the House did not vote, but were reqeusted to attend a meeting on the composition of the minority bloc later in the afternoon.

A shoo-in even during the early stages of the speakership battle, Romualdez is expected to easily lead the House and pass laws prioritized by him and his cousin, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., as a supermajority has pledged support for the new administration.

Romualdez was nominated by his nephew, Rep. Ferdinand Alexander Marcos, who echoed his father’s pitch for unity in stressing that the House needs “a leader that embodies inclusivity, possesses unquestionable competency and feels genuinely for the people.”

The younger Marcos recognized Romualdez as a “consensus-builder,” which he credited for his being able to pass the two Bayanihan bills which aided the country through the pandemic.

Ferdinand Alexander said Romualdez’ qualifications are

SONA standouts: 3 party-list reps defy dress code in the name of advocacy

by BeaTrice

pinlac Inquirer.net

MANILA — Three party-list representatives stood out from the crowd as they carried their advocacies on the clothes they wore for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.

A memorandum earlier issued

by House of Representatives Secretary General Mark Llandro Mendoza stated a prohibition on wearing clothes with political messages for the said event.

But for party-list group representatives Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), France Castro (ACT Teachers), and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan), their Sona outfits echo an important call from the groups they represent.

“We are asserting our right as we cite our Constitution — our right to freedom of expression,” Castro told reporters on Monday.

She then explained what each element of her outfit signified: “Itong black ay dahil bumalik tayo sa kadiliman sa pagkaka-elect ng bagong Marcos at isinisimbolo rin nito iyong misinformation, historical revisionism pero ang teachers, nagsisilbi silang kulay, binibigyang ilaw ang katotohanan.”

(The black color signifies the Rep. Jaime Cojuangco (Tarlac) administers the oath of Rep. Martin Romualdez (Leyte) as the newly elected House speaker of the 19th Congress darkness that comes with another ahead of the joint session of Congress for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's first State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 25.

Philstar.com photo by KJ Rosales Marcos elected into office, and it

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

case against the former senator".

The resolution was filed in light of the recent recantations of key witnesses in the drug cases against the former senator.

Based on records, Rafael Ragos, a defense witness has not been presented before the Muntinlupa Court.

"Hence, the Department will rely on the sound discretion of the Court on the appreciation of the alleged evidence," Remulla said. (ManilaTimes.net)

The SONA outfits of party-list group representatives Arlene Brosas (Gabriela), France Castro (ACT Teachers), and Raoul Manuel (Kabataan) echo an important call from the groups they represent.

Inquirer.net photo by Beatrice Pinlac

also symbolizes misinformation and historical revisionism. But you can see teachers giving color and light to the truth.)

Meanwhile, Manuel, who wore a hand-painted Barong Filipino, said he was wearing the demands of the Filipino youth for the Marcos administration.

“Dapat iyong opening ng [faceto-face classes] sa November, ligtas siya. Dito naman sa isang banda, iyong hustisya hindi lang para sa iilan kundi para sa lahat.

Magkaugnay po iyong dalawa kaya may kamay na nagcoconnect sa kanila,” he further noted.

(The opening of face-to-face classes in November should be done safely. And on the other

EMPLOYMENT

side of my barong, it’s a call for justice for everyone, and not only for a select few. An illustration of interlocked hands connects these two advocacies.)

A phoenix, whose wings spread across the back of his barong, represents the Filipino youth’s role in bringing hope to their country, despite the culture of killing and darkness that is prevalent throughout many parts of it, according to Manuel. “[Gusto natin na] matigil iyong mga iyan at papanindigan ng kabataan na ito dapat iyong lipunan na meron tayo,” he stressed.

(We want to end this because the youth believe this is the society we truly deserve.) g

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‘Lumpia with a Vengeance’ to roll out in theaters this fall Award-winning indie film announces multi-city national release at Comic-Con San Diego

CULMINATING a remarkable film festival circuit run and at the conclusion of a packed San Diego Comic-Con panel and sold out premiere screening,, “Lumpia With a Vengeance,” the popular, awardwinning, Filipino American indie Kapamilya actor Seth Fedelin with Andrea Brillantes Photo from Instagram/@imsethfedelin comedy feature, gave its fans news that they had hoped for.

“Now filmgoers across the country can get their “Lumpia With a Vengeance” in the comfort of a theater in their city,” said an excited Patricio Ginelsa, the film’s director/ writer/producer, after making ang mga babae, hindi niyo rin the surprise announcement of its

By Jan Milo Severo nirerespeto ang nanay niyo. theatrical film release in Fall this Philstar.com ‘Yun na lang ang isipin niyo,” year.

KAPAMILYA actor Seth he added.

The film will roll out nationally in Fedelin asked the public to Andrea and Francine had a multiple cities beginning September stop bashing ex-girlfriend controversy last January after 30 and the announcement, made Andrea Brillantes and current photos of Seth and Francine before an SDCC audience of over love team partner Francine spending New Year’s Eve 400 panel attendees, drew screams, Diaz. together circulated on different shrieks and ultimately emotional tears Seth said he has been social media sites. Seth said he from fans and cast members. reading hate comments already apologized to the two Directed by LA-based filmmaker against the two caused by girls.

Patricio Ginelsa and filmed primarily issues which were not true.

“Nag-sorry ako. Pero alam in the San Francisco Bay Area, “Kasi ‘yung dalawa pong mo ‘yun, na hindi lang ako “Lumpia With A Vengeance” babae, wala pong kasalanan. sa kanya [Andrea] nag-sorry, stars former UFC champion Mark May mga nababasa akong hate nag-sorry ako sa lahat ng Muñoz, April Absynth (STARZ comments about kay Blythe, taong nadamay. Gusto ko ring “Blindspotting”, Katrina Dimaranan hindi po totoo. May nababasa i-clarify dito na nag-sorry ako (Miss Philippines Universe Tourism akong hate comments kay kay Francine kasi may mga 2021), Darion Basco, Danny Trejo Francine, hindi rin po totoo,” nadamay,” Seth said. (“Machete”) and a talented ensemble Seth told PEP. “Alam namin ang totoo and is a re-telling of Ginelsa’s first“Hindi niyo po alam ang and walang may kasalanan sa ever micro-budget feature titled, “Lumpia.” totoo, so lubayan ninyo na nangyari. Sa lahat na lang — “I’m still somewhat in disbelief over how explosive the fan po sila. Mga babae po ang ‘di lang SethDrea or FranSeth response was to our video announcement; it felt like Hall H!!” said mga ‘yun. Rumespeto po fans — siguro sa lahat ng tao, Ginelsa. “To be programmed here was already amazing but, to kayo sa mga babae, dahil tama na po ‘yung issue,” he share the news with our the cast, crew and our fellow Comic-Con ‘pag hindi niyo nirerespeto added. diehards was really special.”

Seth asks fans to stop bashing Andrea, Francine

The special effects-laden action comedy became the first-ever Filipino film (And perhaps, the first Asian American film as well) to screen and panel at Comic-Con San Diego, the world’s foremost pop culture event.

“It’s an absolute dream to present and discuss our film at ComicCon,” said Lawrence Iriarte, the film’s executive producer. “Both Pat (director Ginelsa) and I are genuine comic book diehards who first attended Comic-Con in Sani Diego as fans eons ago, participated as exhibitors in subsequent years and now to be here to announce our film’s release is just incredible.”

The filmmakers are proud to point out that the majority of people who worked on the film – both front of the camera and behind it – are Filipino and Filipino American, a testament to the filmmaking talent that is within the community and a definite statement of inclusivity for Filipinocentric stories on film.

Filmgoers have certainly responded: The film has sold out every screening at film festivals from Hawaii, to New York to Los Angeles.

“We’re still in a bit of pleasant, geeked-out disbelief,” said Ginelsa.

“Comic book culture influenced every single word, every single shot of our film and every single frame of our comic book. To screen at Comic-Con San Diego was a homecoming of sorts for crew and we hope, it becomes that at every theater we screen this fall.”

Screening tickets via virtual box office are available now.

For the latest updated ticketing and theater schedules, please visit lumpiamovie.com.

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entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 27, 2022

Sid Lucero

GMA photo

Sid relishes being an actor

By Jerry

Models: Rebecca Schwarz & Maja Holm (Wiener Models), Makeup by Savriniso Mansurova

Photos by Marina Yazykova

Oliver Tolentino invited to show at Vienna Fashion Week

Donato Philstar.com

SID Lucero belongs to that company of screen performers who relish a role and disappear in it. This perhaps can be attributed to his clear perspective of his profession.

“I think I’m just an actor,” 140 models. Hourly fashion shows will take place in a 500 OLIVER Tolentino received a great honor this week when described Sid in a recent person-capacity tent located in the famous MuseumsQuartier. the organizers of Vienna Fashion Week announced the virtual one-on-one with MQVFW.22 draws approximately 5,000 guests during the invitation for the fashion designer to present at MQ VIENNA The STAR. “In Tagalog, kasi week and attracts more than 20 TV, print, and online media FASHION WEEK.22 (MQVFW.22) this coming September in dalawa lang naman yan, it’s partners.

Vienna, Austria. Aurum 999,9 MagBook, the luxury coffee either artista or aktor (In The opening show of Vienna Fashion Week.22 on table magazine book, will sponsor Tolentino’s show. the vernacular, the word September 12, styled by a well known Austrian stylist, will Tolentino, who is based in Beverly Hills, California, and actor connotes two things: present one outfit of each participating designer. Organizers has dressed almost a hundred Hollywood celebrities, will Star and actor), ‘coz, to me, have asked Oliver Tolentino to attend and present one look be the first Filipino designer ever to present a collection at artista means celebrity, and on that night in advance of his 30-piece collection fashion the VIENNA FASHION WEEK. Vienna is a European fashion I don’t think I am. I don’t show on the night of September 14. capital, famous for hosting over 400 formal balls during its do commercials or wave at When reached for comment, Tolentino shared, “This is social season. people at shows… I think I’m a tremendous honor to be invited to present in Vienna and MQVFW.22 will take place September 12 – 17. Creative an actor.” to be hosted in such a historically amazing city with a rich Headz partners Elvyra Geyer, Zigi Mueller-Matyas, and Maria His almost two-decade history of fashion and with so many attending fashionistas.”

Oberfrank have organized MQVFW for fourteen years, career is a testament to that, He added, “I’m looking forward to presenting a fall/winter producing a varied program for fashionistas, trade experts, and his passion for the craft. collection in season.” and international press.

Sid simply enjoys being and For more info: www.OliverTolentino.com.

MQVFW.22 will present 36 shows, 1,000 designs, and becoming an actor. That’s why even in the new normal, he continues to embody characters on the small and big screens. Among his recent dramatis personae are maintenance medicines after he was diagnosed COMEDIAN Carlos (Caloy) Alde passed Eric and Mark of The World with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney away on Friday, July 22, a few days before his Between Us, which had its disease two years ago.

61st birthday on July 28, his family confirmed. finale early this year, and The Alde’s fellow actor Alwyn Uytingco paid Alde, also referred to as “Ogag” and the Fake Life, now airs on GMA tribute to the comedian by remembering his Philippines’ Mr. Bean, suffered from a massive Afternoon Prime after Raising humor, through Uytingco’s Facebook page last heart attack, as per an exclusive statement Mamay, respectively.

Saturday, July 23. of the comedian’s wife Rhoda to Philippine “There’s a sense of pride,” “‘I love nature.’ Ang joke mo na di ko Entertainment Portal today, July 25. said Sid of learning and malilimutan. Salamat, kuya Caloy,” Uytingco “We rushed him to the hospital kaya lang watching that his work, like said. (“I love nature.” Your joke that I will never wala na. They tried to revive him sa hospital The World Between Us, is forget. Thank you, brother Caloy.) pero talagang wala nang electric impulse ang being streamed on Netflix.

Alde starred in numerous films including heart niya,” his wife was quoted as saying.

“Being on Netflix is quite (We rushed him to the hospital but it was too “Mr. Suave” (2003), “Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim prestigious nga, more than ng Bandanang Itim” (2020) and the ABS-CBN late. They tried to revive him in the hospital but (to) see myself or my friends, Carlos Alde TV series “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” (by Anne his heart already had no electric impulse.)

Photo from Facebook/Rhoda Porral-Alde the show itself there, it just Pasajol/Inquirer.net) Rhoda stated that Alde has been taking

Comedian Carlos ‘Ogag’ Alde passes away at 60

makes me feel like ‘Ah, OK, they are now pushing it towards here.’ And then, we’re just gonna see more and more of that.” The actor is delighted that Filipino content, either in the form of a TV series or film, is given a global space and attention it deserves via a popular streaming service. This is aside from the international festivals that Philippine movies participate in and receive recognitions every year.

Sid added that “networks are starting to like open their eyes” on digital platforms like Netflix as another venue to share their content. Again, a streaming platform is a place to watch and rewatch works, done months or years ago, by actors like Sid. During this pandemic, he starred in films such as Lawrence Fajardo’s Reroute, Mac Alejandre’s Silip Sa Apoy and Brillante Mendoza’s Virgin Forest.

“Always,” answered the actor when asked if he also gets a critique from the critic in him. “I was too focused on the way I speak, na maging natural, na hindi na siya cinematic,” shared he as some of the insights Sid would gain from the post-work self-assessment. “It doesn’t sound good anymore, even in real life, it sounds good.

But onscreen, it doesn’t, you know, things like that.”

Every time he “inhabits” the life of a character, Sid will rely on his acting tools to understand and empathize Continued on Page 12

A solar field in western Pahrump? officials debunked the myth that a photovoltaic solar field will raise the ambient temperature be located on land bounded THERE is no doubt that the around the site. The technology,

by Basin Avenue to the south, way the world is consuming its according to officials, is designed Bannavitch to the west, and natural resources, we are in for to absorb the heat.

Betty Avenue to the north. catastrophic results down the As for noise, there will be the It is one of the many road. Whether it’s in a couple typical noise generated during multiple solar farms that have of decades, half a century or a the construction, but once been proposed in the State of century from now, the world’s Nevada and areas like Pahrump, operational, the field will not burgeoning population needs produce noise.

Amargosa and Beatty. The to manage the Earth’s resources Traffic in and out of the difference with this project more efficiently, or look for ways facility will be kept to a minimum is that Basin Solar is being to harness what nature gives us. as there will only be one truck put on private land, unlike In terms of energy usage, visiting the site on a weekly majority of proposals which are that can include harnessing the basis, per officials, adding that being planned on public lands sun’s power, which is exactly “the site largely operated itself administered by the Bureau of what a company wants to do in from remote communications.”

Land Management. the western side of Pahrump.

On the question of water According to officials Consolidated Edison usage in the project, ConEdison attached with ConEdison, once Development Inc. recently does not intend to drill any wells complete and fully operational, went before the Nye County to service the site, but instead Basin Solar can produce energy Commission to talk about its will have the necessary water to power an estimated 6,000 proposal for its Basin Solar trucked in after being purchased homes. The company is the project – a 20-megawatt from a local municipal water second-largest solar developer photovoltaic solar field that will provider. During the construction in the country and operates be set on 100 acres in western phase, about 20 acre-feet of about 30% of the solar capacity Pahrump, according to a news water would be used primarily in the state. report from the Pahrump Valley for dust control, and would go During the presentation, Times. The project is set to down to about two acre-feet or less per year when the field is operational.

ConEdison revealed that if everything goes according to plan, construction should be able to begin early 2023, with the site commercially operational by the end of the year.

As for how the project will benefit the town, aside from aiding in the quest for renewable energy and helping alleviate the drain on the electric grid, positives will come from the taxes and purchase of regional goods and services, as well as up to 150 construction jobs associated with the project.

Once the project is finished, two full-time jobs within the community will be the end-result.

A total investment of about $40 million is expected to be made for the Basin Solar project, with roughly 37% to 50% of the amount invested directly in Nevada.

In examining the plans and the private land that will be used for the project, Nye County Commissioner Debra Strickland posed an observation, asking what the highest and best use for a 100-acre parcel of land would be. She opined that the benefits of the project being situated in private land versus public land managed by the BLM would be significantly Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including higher. The advantages would loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send include not having to take away email to fely@precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com. the people’s land, using an area

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

community

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 27, 2022

11

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman drove around in Pahrump recently with her good friend and Philippine Realtor Nida Santos.

Realtors Fely Quitevis-Bateman and Nida Santos drove by near Realtor Nida Santos, a friend of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman the proposed solar project in Pahrump, which will provide for over 40 years, has been amazed at the big progress in cheap electricity to the town’s residents.

Pahrump during her second visit to the town.

that is located in a flood zone which creates a different set of challenges for other kinds of development, and potential homeowners not having to deal with expensive flood insurance should the land be developed into homes.

This project will be a great addition to Pahrump, and just one of the many well thought out endeavors being planned in the town, which is only 62 miles west of Las Vegas.

It is a perfect project for the town as it located in what is known as the sun belt; in fact, much of Nevada is in such an area.

With a lot of developments being proposed in Pahrump, including a huge gaming/ entertainment hub that will house the first peri-mutuel

horse racetrack in Nevada, servicing the energy needs of the community will of utmost importance. Having an additional source of renewable energy will keep the town in good stead and allow it to thrive.

Areas like Pahrump are generating huge interest, not just for businesses but for many would-be homeowners and investors. The affordability of land and property prices, when compared to other areas in the United States, is a huge plus, as well as its proximity to a big city like Las Vegas. One can, indeed, have the best of both worlds – live within the peaceful, unencumbered, beautiful surroundings of the town for the most part, and head for the lights, extravaganza, glitz and

glamour of the big city when it beckons.

My decades of experience in real estate will help you, my kababayans, in your quest for your piece of the American Dream – whether it’s your first or second home, a rental property, or an investment.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-5384948 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)

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 27, 2022

Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another state in custody cases Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes PARENTS that are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network is in another state.

This decision often have a significant impact on the visitation of the other parent because it would be more difficult for the non-custodial parent to exercise his or her visitation rights in a frequent and continuing manner if the custodial parent moves to a different state hundreds or thousands of miles away from the non custodial parent.

The parent that has Custody of the child has a presumptive right to change the child’s residence unless the non custodial parent can show that the move would be a detriment to the child. In cases where there has not been any final custody order, the court has to make a custody determination using “the best interest”

standard. Court will look at the factors and decide what is in the best interest of the child.

Custody is usually given to the parent that is more likely to allow frequent and continuing contact between the child and the other parent. On the other hand if there has been a final Custody determination, then the non-custodial parent would have to show a “significant change in circumstances” to change the custody arrangement.

The Court would then consider certain factors laid out in the case Marriage of LaMusga in deciding whether the child would suffer detriment from the relocation and whether a change of custody should be ordered.

The La Musga factors which the Court will consider are 1) the children’s interest in stability and continuity in the custodial arrangement; 2) the distance of the move; 3) the children’s age; 4)the children’s relationship with both parents; 5) the relationship between the parents including, but not limited to, their ability to communicate and cooperate effectively and their willingness to put the children’s interests above their individual interests; 6) the children’s wishes if they are mature enough to make

that inquiry appropriate; 7) the reasons for the proposed move; and 8) the extent to which the parents currently are sharing custody. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@ gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.

Money and the simple life Immigrant Living: 101 and BeMonette AdevA MAglAyA THERE are no shortcuts in arriving at a decision to live a simple life. Sometimes, one has to go through a personal hell experiencing an inner fatigue and helplessness over the never-ending chase for the almighty dollar and quality of life in order to come to a conclusion that there has to be a better way than what is commonly believed.

Money is a major consideration in deciding to simplify one’s life. Let’s face it.

Our attitude and relationship towards money have a lot to do with it. If you are always strapped for money because you are too deeply buried in debt, then money has you in a stranglehold. You have to work longer, harder hours in order to pay off the debt.

Think of it this way. If you buy a new car which you have to pay on installment for the next five years, you have just signed yourself on to work for the next five years to pay it off.

If you love your work and can see yourself doing it for the same company for the next five years, then driving a new car and being able to pay for it are bonuses of the work that you love to do.

But if you hate your job,“… aye there’s the rub…,” as Shakespeare would say.

Overwhelming financial problems will prevent you from living simply. Many who have

“I owe, I owe.

So off to work I go.”

— Car bumper sticker taken the simple life path will tell you that being relatively debt-free can be very liberating. It will allow you to breathe freely and lead you to appreciate everything with a twinkle in your eyes, about life under these big blue skies.

Saved money can give you options to take an extended leave, extended sabbaticals, switch gears to study for a change in career or simply to do the things you have always wanted to do but could not because you have been slaving your life away over things you have bought stashed in the garage, in the closet or in the basement unopened or things you have been maintaining to impress others with how successful you are to create an image.

To be able to save money, you will have to live below your means and pare down to the barest minimum your expenses to cover the basic necessities. Your treacherous, fat ego—the one that keeps wanting to impress others with bogus symbols of power and success—must be cut down to size. If you have neither the motivation nor the discipline to do this, it won’t happen.

Ergo, put that big, fat ego on a diet, pronto.

If you begin to understand your attitude about money and how you can make it work for you instead of you

spending your life away chasing it and living paycheck to paycheck, then you are on the right track.

When it finally hits you that money can either free you or make a slave out of you depending on how you view it and how you use it, you can then begin to exercise the control you never knew you had over it. The reward is tremendous. You begin to experience a rare sense of freedom that only a simple life gives.

Charles Dickens who would probably make a good accountant as well, stated it plainly.

“Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen nineteen six, result HAPPINESS. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pounds ought and six, result MISERY. Paraphrasing Dickens, Don’t spend more than what you make. ***

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.

***

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes for Asian Journal Publications, Inc. Her opinions are her own. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com.

Sid relishes being an actor...

From Page 10 with it, based on the accumulated learnings from workshops and work experience.

As a glimpse into his creative process, he compared it to like going through a filing cabinet “of like what I believe in my experience, in my own life,” and what he knows about “other people’s lives,” and bits and pieces gained from “watching films and TV, what might be acceptable to me, and then, to the production or then, what might be acceptable to the people.” From there, he can build a relatable character.

Sid, who can do bida-kontrabida roles, understands that a careful study of character expectations, which are cultural in nature, from the creatives and audiences is vital to his work. An actor should know how to piece all these together in creating the whole persona or role. Part of acting is to somehow stick and present “a palatable character that anyone can enjoy,” as one could get from his statements.

Acting, particularly when done with fellow actors in a scene, is “about accepting and giving,” said he. “If I think this way and this guy is like todo method, (a way to approach a role) and he is totally like not accepting what I’m giving... I have to adjust and then, that becomes his character and I would like to think that I’ve helped you and you’ve helped me build mine… then, I was able to just build this through being you.” Yes, what matters

to the actors are their truth, like what they, being in the moment, feel genuinely about their characters.

As an actor, who remains visible and considers acting a calling, Sid has realized that “there’s a space for everything, there’s a space for you to express, there’s a space to follow rules.” Through these spaces, actors become more understanding about realities and truths of their profession.

According to the information given by The Fake Life team, the latest episodes will see Sid’s Mark do everything to ruin the family of Onats and Cindy Villamor, played by Ariel Rivera and Beauty Gonzalez. His character will also reiterate that he is Cindy’s true love.

Asked what’s in the pipeline for him after The Fake Life, Sid, recipient of two Urian Best Actor awards for Selda and Muli, said, “I really love working for GMA, especially the TV (content) that they do, I really love it, kahit lock-in (taping) pa yan, I don’t mind.

With Vivamax, I’m always open to (a) Vivamax (project)… I know for a fact that you can look forward to more projects from Vivamax and from GMA with me in (them).”

Yes, the actor, who also won a Best Actor trophy for Toto at the LA Comedy Festival, has established a good relationship with the network and the film platform.

With that and his passion for acting, Sid will continue to make new and engaging roles and entertain audiences.

Pen Medina asks for prayers after successful spine surgery

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

VETERAN actor Pen Medina continues to ask for prayers after the successful spine surgery for his degenerative disc disease.

On his Instagram account, Pen thanked all the people who supported and prayed for him.

“Praise God for making my Spinal Surgery safe and successful. Hindi pa po tapos ang aking laban. I will be needing more prayers as my medical team addresses the accompanying infection,” Pen said.

“Marami pong salamat sa lahat ng nagdasal at patuloy na nagdadasal para sa akin,” he added.

Pen’s family called for help last week following the actor’s hospitalization due to degenerative disc disease.

“Our dad, 71-year-old actor Pen Medina, has been in the hospital for three weeks now and currently cannot sit or stand up due to Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). He is scheduled for a major spine surgery on Tuesday, July 19,” the post read.

Pen was last seen in the web series “Viral Scandal” and the TV drama “La Vida Lena.”

Veteran actor Pen Medina

Photo from Instagram/@penmedina

Why won’t Pokwang tell all?

By ronnie

CarraSCo ManilaTimes.net

iii

IS comedienne Pokwang merely protective of her estranged partner Lee O’Brian?

Their much-ballyhooed separation — let’s face it — raises more questions than answers.

Consider Pokwang’s assertion. First and foremost, there was no third party involved on Lee’s part in the separation.

Second, it’s not true — as it is unfair — that she has grown sick and tired of Lee being a “palamunin” all this time. In fact, she gets hurt when people harp on this palamunin angle.

Truth be told, Pokwang clarifies: “Mabait siyang tao.

Mabait siyang ama.”

If so, why the separation?

Not only have these alleged reasons surfaced, but there are also talks that Pokwang’s family has since been against the American actor, who they thought would give the

separation would have been kept hush-hush, probably for all eternity.

As she admitted, the falling out occurred in November last year, with no one in showbiz circles getting wind of it (except her close friend K Brosas).

“Seven months na ako surviving in peace,” Pokwang was quoted to have said.

Tearfully, she reasoned out that she’s the type of a person “na hanggang kaya kong tiisin, eh, gagawin ko.”

The comedian hasn’t really addressed what Despite her admission, went wrong in her marriage to American Pokwang hasn’t really actor Lee O’Brian.

Photo from Instagram/@itspokwang27 addressed the issue — what went wrong?

What then does the future comedienne the kind of life she hold for the couple? dreamt of.

Will Pokwang give their What is happening though relationship a second chance is the other way around, so for the sake of their daughter? much so that besides showbiz One thing’s clear, though. work, Pokwang also ventured Pokwang and Lee are civil into a food business. toward each other. Pokwang In fact, had she not does not restrict Lee from changed its business name paying their four-year-old from Lee-Pok Food Products daughter Malia regular visits. to Mama Pokwang, their

Why Darren finds it surreal that he’s cast in his first series By alex

BroSaS Inquirer.net

SINGER Darren Espanto finds it still hard to believe that he has been cast in “Lyric and Beat” as Jazz, an aspiring choir singer.

“I never really imagined myself going into acting. My dream is really to become a singer.

This is so surreal to me [that I even have a] series and it’s finally coming out,” he said during the face-to-face press conference for the series, last Tuesday, July 19.

Espante admitted that ever since he joined “The Voice Kids,” his dream has been to become a singer and performer. But he never imagined that he would be able to juggle showbiz and studies at the same time.

Nonetheless, he was able to graduate from high school, something he acknowledges that not everyone can do. To finish his studies is really one of his dreams, he said.

Meanwhile, as he was doing the series,

Darren Espanto

Photo from Instagram/@darrenespanto

Espanto realized that all major cast members were graduates of reality-based shows like him.

He therefore concluded that he and his fellow reality TV graduates really have dreams in life, and he is happy to know this.

Sanya flattered to be considered ‘a hot Maria Clara’ By allan

PoliCarPio Inquirer.net

FOR Sanya Lopez, wearing sexy clothes isn’t an invitation to disrespect her.

“Sometimes, when we wear things like that, wala lang sa amin. But some of my guy friends would tell me, ‘Sa ‘yo wala lang, pero ‘yung ibang tao nanlalaki na mata diyan.’

But even if we dress a certain way… we know what we have to do,” she said in a recent virtual conference for her debut single, “Hot Maria Clara.”

“So if ever we get disrespected by men, we know how to deal with them,” she added. “I’m just happy with what I’m wearing.”

The right way The Kapuso star also stressed that how a woman dresses doesn’t suggest anything about her willingness to entertain random advances.

“There are men who feel like kaya nila lahat ng mga babae.

And women who wear sexy clothing are seen as easy to get. How we look doesn’t have anything to do with that,” she said.

Written by filmmaker Njel de Mesa, “Hot Maria Clara” (GMA Music) is an empowering electronic-pop song about selflove. For Sanya, a “Hot Maria Clara” symbolizes a woman who can stand up for herself. “We should let our voices be heard.

We should push back if we’re being taken advantage of, but we should do it the right way,” she said.

It’s flattering, Sanya said, if people see her as a “hot Maria Clara,” but there are other women whom she feels are more deserving of such description, like Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz.

“Kailangan mapanindigan mo ‘yun. But if that’s how some people see me, then I’m grateful,” she said.

Aside from the occasional production numbers in the defunct variety show “Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman,” Sanya doesn’t really have much experience in singing. So she couldn’t believe it when she was offered to record a single.

“I was like, ‘Are you sure?’

But I chose to see this as a blessing. Tanggap lang nang tanggap. It was given to me because they knew I could do it.

I’m thankful and happy for the opportunity,” she said, adding that she found the rehearsals and recording sessions nervewracking.

“I was so nervous I started questioning myself at one point. ‘Kaya mo ba, girl?’ But I was excited because the lyrics were good, and I wanted to make female listeners feel the message,” she said of the single, whose music video was

entertainment Sexy Babe grand winner Sam Coloso: Beauty is diverse

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 27, 2022

By Kane

errol Choa Philstar.com

BELIEVING that women today are defining their own standards of beauty, Sam Coloso clinched the title of Showtime Sexy Babe in the popular noontime show, It’s Showtime, aired on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, and Kapamilya Online Live.

“Noon, fi-no-follow natin ang beauty standards. Kailangan nating magpaputi. Kailangan natin magpaliit ng waist. But this time, beauty is diverse and everyone is beautiful and accepted,” said Sam when asked by judge Annabelle Rama Sanya Lopez Photo from Instagram/@sanyalopez what their generation can learn about beauty from today’s young women. also directed by De Mesa.

“Just be secure with yourself Would she be open to and that’s when you know na headlining her own concert di mo kailangang tumingin one day? “Given the chance sa kakulangan ng iba para to pursue this, why not? It has maging secure sa sarili mo,” she always been a dream of mine to have my own single. But first, continued during the question let’s release more songs so I can and answer round of Showtime actually perform in the concert,” Sexy Babe: The Sexiest Grand Finals. she said.

The search for Showtime Traditionally, the term Sexy Babe culminated after Maria Clara is associated with almost six months with 10 grand being kind, prim and gentle. If finalists showcasing the sexiest there’s one thing about Sanya versions of themselves and that embodies that stereotype, their unfaltering resolve and will perhaps its her mindset when it comes to courting, she said.

“I don’t usually realize when someone is courting me.

Because in my mind, I want to feel like I’m actually being courted—hindi text-text lang.

That happens now and I respect that. But I prefer someone who visits you at home and introduces himself to your parents and siblings and gives respect. Nakakakilig ‘yun,” she related.

Bottom of Form Sanya, who maintains that she has never had a boyfriend, said she’s still not actively looking for one. She’s busy with work, she said, and wouldn’t be able to devote the time needed in a relationship.

“Love isn’t forced. It will come at the right time. If it isn’t there yet, then enjoy being single for the meantime, because you won’t be able to do that once you’re already committed to someone. I’m busy loving myself,” said Sanya, who was last seen in the series “First Lady.” “It’s OK if someone wants to court me, but I won’t be able to give time, which will be unfair to them.”

Even her family, she related, is curious about her romantic prospects. “They ask me, ‘Kailan ka ba magbo-boyfriend?’

I’m worried I would end up neglecting my work [if I enter a relationship]. I don’t come from a well-off family. Life was hard.

For now, I want to focus on work,” she said.

Sam Coloso

power.

“Ang pagiging sexy goes, it goes beyond physical appearance. Ang pagiging sexy, nakukuha iyan sa talino at pagpapakita kung sino ka talaga, whether you are funny, bubbly, or smart. It goes beyond the physical attributes.

Yung pagiging sexy can come from within,” said host Anne Curtis.

As the first title holder, Sam won P500,000 cash prize, a negosyo package worth

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ng respeto hindi lang sa mga lalake kundi sa lahat ng tao, ito po ay kapag dumadating yung panahon na hindi na namin nakokontrol ang aming pagsasalita o aming mga ginagawa na siyang ikinagagalit ng taong kaharap naming lalo na po ang kalalakihan na kadalasan ay kilala natin na mahaba ang kanilang pasensya.”

The other Sexy Babe grand finalists included Joanna Lumbaro, Ercy Tongson, Johaira Moris, Zoe Cameron, and Wean Ahmed.

Ruffa Gutierrez, who served as one of the judges in the competition, congratulated all the ladies and offered some advice, “To be a star, you must ABS- shine your own light and follow your own path. Para sa akin, you P150,000 from Seoul Sahara, are all deserving and beautiful. and a jewelry package worth Just shine like a diamond in the P100,000 from Manila Diamond real world.”

Studio.

Special awards were given Morena Carlos of Bulacan to Jubilyn, who won Best in was named first runner-up and Rampa, and Zoe, who was won P300,000 cash prize, while named Blooming Babe.

Jubilyn Sabino of Cebu was The roster of Sexy hailed second runner-up and Authoriteam was composed of received P100,000 cash prize.

Jake Cuenca, Miss International When asked if women know Queen 2022 Fuschia Ravena, when they are disrespecting Marlon Stockinger, Shaun men, Morena answered, Ildefonso, Michael Leyva, “Alam naming pag kami ay Annabelle, and Miss World nakakabastos na o nawawalan Second Princess Ruffa.

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The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - July 27, 2022