080423 - San Diego Edition

White House seeks greater investment in AAPI mental health care

AFTER anti-Asian hate and violence escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) have spent the last few years rallying for greater investment in AAPI mental health and safety.

On Thursday, July 21, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) led an in-person summit that zeroed in on improving the accessibility and quality of mental health care for the vast AAPI community.

The summit comprised several sessions that unpacked the impact of hate crimes, violence, and microaggressions on collective and individual mental health as well as brainstormed ideas on how best to expand access to these communities.

“Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders face unique barriers

Asian Americans face lower cardiac arrest survival despite equal CPR efforts

A HEARTBEAT is just a normal thud—until it becomes abnormal and suddenly stops. If this is the case, it might be cardiac arrest.

Just recently, the son of NBA star LeBron James suffered from cardiac arrest but is now in stable condition. Bronny James is only 18 years old, so what are the odds?

You might want to watch out for your carb intake and unhealthy diet as a groundbreaking study reveals that Asian Americans are less likely to survive a cardiac arrest than white people.

Cardiac arrest or heart attacks happen when the heart suddenly stops beating. If this occurs, blood will also stop flowing to the rest of the body, which can result in a more severe condition.

This new study published in the Journal of American Heart Association found alarming disparities in the cardiac arrest survival rates of Asian and white adults in the U.S.

A team of researchers evaluated nearly 279,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, and the results were astonishing: Asian adults are eight percent less likely to survive a heart attack and have a fifteen percent lower

EU ready to bolster security ties with PH

by JeRome aning Inquirer.net

MANILA — The European Union is “ready to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security,” the head of the organization’s executive branch said on Monday, July 31 when she arrived in Manila for bilateral talks with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. In a joint press briefing with Marcos on Monday morning, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said: “Today, I’m here to accelerate a new era of cooperation between us. We share so many values and interests. We both want to work toward strengthening our democracies. We believe in the international rules-based order and we believe in the need to promote and to defend it.”

She tackled, in the following order, the areas of trade, climate change, digital connectivity, partnership on critical raw materials, and security — in which “it [has made] sense to strengthen our ties across the board,” she said.

“We are ready to strengthen the cooperation with the Philippines on maritime security in the region by sharing information, conducting threat assessment, and building the capacity of your National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) and your Coast Guard,” von der Leyen said.

The NCWC is the implementing arm of the National Coast Watch Council, an inter-agency body on maritime security chaired by the executive secretary.

The EU leader also emphasized the importance of security cooperation not only in Europe but in

Ex-President Duterte fit to be special envoy to China – Cayetano

by chaRie abaRca Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Marcos administration should appoint former President Rodrigo Duterte as special envoy to China, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano said in an ambush interview on Monday, July 31.

Citing the former president’s “good standing” with the Chinese government, Cayetano pointed out that Duterte would be a good for the post.

“If ever we know someone who can go to the highest levels of the Chinese government that the Chinese government trusts and the Filipino trusts, [it is] President Duterte. But then we have to come out with

Philippine peso weakens, returns to 55:$1 level

by Ronnel W. Domingo Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine peso weakened to the 55:$1 level, closing at 55.19 to a dollar on Aug. 2 after 15 trading days below the threshold. The local currency lost 42 centavos to the U.S. dollar, from 54.77:$1 on Aug. 1. The peso traded at as strong as 54:84:$1 and as weak as 55:20:$1. Wednesday’s closing rate was the weakest for the peso since July 11, when it hit 55.19 against the greenback.

Michael Ricafort, chief economist at

the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp., said the exchange rate was still stronger than the “immediate high” of 56.44:$1 posted on May 30, 2023, but already weaker than the 54.30 posted on July 17, which is considered as the nearterm low.

Ricafort said the peso’s depreciation was also partly due to the latest decline or profit-taking in the Philippine and global stock markets, which led to some shift to the U.S. currency. n

a strategy that is both comprehensive and that will work in the short and long term,” Cayetano said.

Cayetano, who served as secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs chief under the Duterte administration, said that he “never” once saw Duterte compromise and sell out the Philippines despite “gaining the trust” of China. “I have never seen President Duterte compromise and sell the Philippines. His eloquent mouth is different and he speaks differently, but he never sold out and he will never sell out the Philippines,” Cayetano said in Filipino.

Despite this, Cateyano stressed that

u PAGE 3

House panel approves bill on internet voting for overseas Filipinos

by John eRic menDoza Inquirer.net

MANILA — The House Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms approved on Tuesday, August 1 the proposed Overseas Voting Act of 2023 (House Bill No. 6770) that would allow overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to vote via the internet.

“Our OFWs and overseas Filipinos, including seafarers, constitute a significant segment of our society, with their economic contribution and the national honor that

the Indo-Pacific region—as another European body, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, has also asserted time and again.

“Security in Europe and security in the IndoPacific is indivisible. Challenges to the rules-based order in our interconnected world affect all of us. Our societies pay through higher energy bills through higher food costs. This is why we are concerned about the rising tensions in the IndoPacific,” von der Leyen said.

Russia, China

“The European Union has been very supportive of a free and open Indo-Pacific, because an IndoPacific free of the threats of coercion is key to all our stability, to our peace, and to the prosperity of our peoples,” she added.

Filipinas’ World Cup dream cut short, but Sarina Bolden’s message inspires football fans

FILIPINOS are some of the happiest in Asia, so despite watching our beloved ‘Filipinas’ come up short in the FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 30, Sunday, we’ll surely be back—harder, better, stronger, faster (to quote Daft Punk, no less). With the weight of the entire nation resting on their shoulders, the skillful Filipinas never failed to show us their unrelenting spirit and passion for the sport.

The team’s World Cup debut all started with the dream of competing against the world’s best on the global stage. On Jan. 31, 2022, the Filipinas began weaving this aspiration when they won over Chinese Taipei in India, setting the stage for their World Cup hopes.

And at the heart of this inspiring journey is FilipinoAmerican striker Sarina Bolden, who opened the u PAGE 2

Nearly 200 towns under state of calamity due to ‘Egay’

gaea

by

— NDRRMC

KatReena cabico Philstar.com

MANILA — Almost 200 cities and municipalities were placed under a state of emergency due to Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) and the southwest monsoon, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported Thursday, August 3.

The NDRRMC said in its latest bulletin that 196 areas were placed under state of calamity. This allows the provincial government to use quick response funds and control prices of basic goods.

The council added that around

2.9 million individuals from across the country have been affected by the powerful storm and the southwest monsoon. Of those, over 288,000 people remain displaced. The death toll stood at 27. Meanwhile, 13 people remain missing and 140 others were injured.

The combined effects of Egay and the southwest monsoon also wreaked damage in the agricultural sector. In a separate bulletin on Wednesday, August 2, the Department of Agriculture placed the agricultural losses due to Egay at P3.17 billion.

The initial damage to infrastructure was estimated at

REUNITED. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with former President Rodrigo Duterte at the Malacañang Palace on Wednesday, August 2 where they discussed the latter’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Malacañang photo

Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) / AFP

EU ready to bolster security ties with...

At Malacañang, von der Leyen also took the occasion to cite Russia’s “war of aggression against Ukraine” and affirmed the EU’s support for the 2016 arbitral ruling in the Philippines’ favor.

The ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration on the arbitral case brought by the Philippines in 2013 invalidated China’s sweeping claim of sovereignty over the South China Sea, including the West Philippine Sea within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Later addressing the Philippine Business Forum on Monday night, von der Leyen said China, as a member of the United Nations Security Council, had “yet to assume fully its responsibility under the UN Charter to uphold the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

“This is happening against the backdrop of China’s more assertive stance in your region,” she also said in her remarks posted on the European Commission’s website.

Talks on trade

To her audience with Marcos, von der Leyen said the EU can do so much more “as your fourth largest trading partner,” as she noted the revived negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between the EU and the Philippines.

The talks were originally launched in 2015 — with the aim of concluding a deal that covers tariffs, nontariff barriers to trade and intellectual property — but were stalled two years later, as relations soured, amid the EU’s concern over the drug war of then President Rodrigo Duterte.

“A free trade agreement has huge potential for both of us in terms of growth and in terms of jobs,” von der Leyen said. “We need to diversify our supply lines and make them resilient… An

FTA is the basis for that. But it’s also much more.

An FTA can be a springboard for a new technology cooperation to modernize the broader economy.” Marcos, who began their press briefing, also cited the talks on the FTA as well as the 60-millioneuro Green Economy Program in the Philippines grant, aimed at supporting the country in such areas as renewable energy and climate action.

He also thanked the European Commission “for their decision to extend the recognition of STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) certificates issued by the Philippines,” saying this ensured the employment of over 50,000 Filipino seafarers working onboard EU-flagged vessels.

“During our meeting, we discussed the economic relations with particular focus on revitalizing trade between our two regions,” the president said, adding that “the Philippines and the EU are like-minded partners through our shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights.”

First visit Von der Leyen’s visit to the Philippines marks the first by the president of the European Commission, as she herself pointed out to Marcos.

The first woman to head the European Commission, von der Leyen was a practicing physician before she entered politics and public service, following in the footsteps of her father. She was also the first woman to head Germany’s Defense Ministry.

As both leaders recalled in their press briefing, Marcos first met with von der Leyen at a summit in Brussels between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in December last year.

—with a report from Reuters n

Filipinas’ World Cup dream cut short...

World Cup door for the team when they faced formidable opponents and hometown favorites New Zealand.

After an opening-round loss to Switzerland, 2-0, the Filipinas recovered in impressive fashion and tasted their first-ever World Cup victory over New Zealand after Bolden scored the winning goal and forever etched her name in World Cup history. The Filipinas’ fairytale run ended when they were trounced, 6-0, by former World Cup champions Norway. Bolden herself was in awe of their strength and achievements, but despite this, her resilience and optimism remain.

“I’d just say that if you have a dream, go after it. Work your hardest. There’s gonna be downs, but if you truly want to achieve your dream, go for it.”

Filipinas fans spreading love and pride

Let’s say it again: Football is not just about wins and losses but also about inspiring a nation. The Filipinas may have not achieved the ultimate glory, but social media went abuzz with full support and gratitude, thanking

In the middle of the applause, Twitter user @jinnorufino resonates with the sentiments of many Filipinos, saying, “Maraming Salamat Filipinas! You made the country proud. Keep your heads up high. You made history…”

Another user, @llongboan, tweeted, “Thank you, Filipinas, for showing the strength of the diaspora in sports and for rekindling our national pride at a challenging time in our history.”

While @amtcfc was in patriotic mode tweeting a photo of a banner during the PH-Norway game, “Thank you Filipinas for making us dream.”

Another user, @magellofenis, tweeted, “Definitely not the best result we expected, but we made it to the World Cup, and this is just the first of many to come.”

The outpour of support is heartwarming and shows Filipinos aren’t one to back down. With love and gratitude, see you again in 2027, ladies! (by Mary Villegas/Inquirer.net)n

Nearly 200 towns under state...

PAGE 1

around P3.5 billion, according to the NDRRMC.

The government has so far provided P239 million in assistance to affected residents. Egay—the fifth cyclone to hit the Philippines this year— battered northern Luzon with

violent winds and heavy rain last week.

Typhoon Falcon (international name: Khanun) followed and threatened the Philippines by enhancing the southwest monsoon, which triggered widespread flooding. Scientists have warned that cyclones

are becoming more powerful and destructive as the world becomes warmer because of climate change.

The NDRRMC has yet to release data on the impact of Falcon, which left the Philippine Area of Responsibility Tuesday afternoon, August 1. n

ALARM. The water level at the Marikina River rises

photo by Joey O. Razon

PARTNERS. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (right) describes the Philippines and the European Union, as represented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, as “like-minded partners” through “shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights.”

Photo from Marianne Bermudez

Sarina Bolden at FIFA Women’s World Cup Photo from B/R Football Twitter the team for representing the Philippines on the world stage.

they bring to the country, and for the sacrifices they endure while working abroad, leaving their loved ones behind,” OFW party-list Rep. Marissa Magsino, who filed the bill, said in her opening speech.

“Therefore, we owe them the best, possible, convenient, and securements to exercise their right of suffrage as valued compatriots as fellow Filipinos,” she added.

The bill will amend the Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003 (Republic Act No. 9189). The counterpart proposal is Senate Bill No. 172 filed by Sen. Francis Tolentino.

Citing data from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Magsino said that only 1.69 million of around 12 million OFW voters registered for the 2022 elections, and of the registered voters, only around 600,000 cast their votes.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said he would support the bill as it could improve voter turnout in the next elections.

He pointed out that 700,000 of 1.69 million voters failed to cast their ballot for two consecutive elections, which would lead to voters’ deactivation.

He also stressed that the Comelec spent P470 million on overseas voting — almost P400 per registered voter.

“We spend that much, only to have that 38 to 39 percent voter turnout,” Garcia said. “Maybe we could avail other modes of voting, which is internet voting.” n

Dateline USa

Domestic workers are America’s most undervalued resource

SohRabJi

by Sunita

Ethnic Media Services

BURBANK — Domestic workers in the U.S. are underpaid and over-utilized, but are largely exempt from protection by labor laws, said Ai-Jen Poo, President of National Domestic Workers Alliance.

The well-known labor rights activist is currently heading up a campaign to pass the National Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Washington, and in the Senate by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-New York, and Ben Lujan, D-New Mexico.

protections for domestic workers. April has been designated Care Workers Recognition Month.

“Across America, care workers help raise our children, assist seniors as they age with dignity, and support people with disabilities, giving families peace of mind and making it possible for millions of Americans to earn a paycheck while their loved ones are safe and secure,” said Biden in a statement announcing the executive orders. “These unsung heroes strengthen our communities and form the backbone of our nation’s economy.”

Low pay, no sick leave

especially overstretched,” said Poo July 19, speaking at The SCAN Foundation’s first Advancing Health Equity in Aging summit. “Other countries have a social safety net. We use workers to take care of our families, but they are grossly underpaid, have no sick time, and sometimes no days off,” she said.

“We have worked to make childcare and elder care good paying jobs, with access to medical leave and paid time off. The progress has been slow and incremental,” said Poo.

Duterte should only be tapped during urgent and emergency negotiations as he might no longer have the stamina for the constant back-and-forth trips to Beijing.

Cayetano, who earlier questioned Sen. Risa Hontiveros’ resolution seeking to raise China’s aggressions in the West Philippine Sea before the United

Ex-President Duterte fit... Asian Americans...

chance of having stable mental outcomes compared to adult Caucasians.

According to Dr. Paul Chan, professor of medicine at St. Luke’s Mid-America Heart Institute and the University of Missouri-Kansas City and researcher, the bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is normally a determinant of survival following an out-ofhospital cardiac arrest.

The uncertainties

He concluded, “It is not entirely clear what may be driving the lower survival rate among Asian adults.”

Dr. Chan also shared that they are expecting lower rates of bystander CPR among Asian adults due to the wide array of skin colors within the Asian group. But the data surprised them.

Nations General Assembly, likewise stated that he was “amenable to coming up with a strongly-worded measure that expresses the Senate’s outrage against Chinese incursions.” But he pointed out that this should not be done in a breeze, stressing the need to explore many options before taking decisive action on the controversy. n

“It is quite encouraging that bystander CPR rates for Asian adults were comparable to white adults,” Dr. Chan said. These offer a glimmer of hope, but Dr. Joseph Wu, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute, emphasized that further research is needed to uncover the reasons for the disparity.

“The overall analysis indicates additional research is needed to better understand the gap in CPR survival and neurological outcomes among Asian adults after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.”

Although the study’s result is something that shouldn’t be ignored, there’s still room for more investigation based on the disparities. (Mary Villegas/ Inquirer.net) n

In April, the NDWA — in collaboration with the Care Can’t Wait coalition — won a major victory: President Joe Biden issued 50 executive orders directed at improving care and

The president noted that domestic workers are among the lowest paid workers in the U.S. economy, and often juggle multiple jobs while struggling to care for their own households.

“Family care givers are

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Poo has worked on labor rights issues since 1996, and was the 2014 recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, also known as a “Genius Grant.” The NDWA was established in 2007. It achieved its first victory

three years later, when the state of New York passed the nation’s first-ever Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The new law provided comprehensive employment benefits to domestic workers, including overtime pay, paid vacation, sick time, and health insurance coverage. The legislation was revised in 2021 to add additional protections including provisions for undocumented workers, who often face wage theft by their employers. In New York, domestic workers are defined as full-time nannies, au pairs, housekeepers, and the caretakers of elderly people.

The value of stories Poo spoke about the power of hearing directly from people she hoped to impact. “When we first set out to rewrite labor laws

White House seeks greater investment in AAPI mental...

to behavioral health care, and today’s summit is a critical step in destigmatizing psychological needs, improving health outcomes, and expanding access to quality, affordable mental health services for our communities,” said Krystal Ka‘ai, Executive Director of the WHIAANHPI.

Ka’ai also acknowledged the importance of disaggregated data and research, noting the vast diversity among AAPIs.

The AAPI community comprises nearly 23 million individuals with more than 40 unique ethnicities — and dozens of dialects, religious ideologies, immigration patterns, and socioeconomic statuses.

Information about the communities that exist under the AAPI label is often aggregated, and treated, as a monolithic group. Because of this, the solutions for these communities are often too broad and don’t recognize the individual issues within each culture.

As previously reported in the Asian Journal, many communities that exist within the AAPI umbrella have historically stigmatized mental disorders and seeking professional counseling and intervention.

Among Filipinos, that stigma has prevented countless individuals from simply acknowledging severe mental strife. In 2018, Lea Mendoza, a Filipina licensed marriage and family therapist based in Orange County, told the Asian Journal that Filipinos often refuse professional behavioral health out of pride.

“As Filipinos, we were taught and raised to keep up a good face,” Mendoza said. “Put

on a good front and save face and no matter what, shut up, and don’t tell anyone about any challenges going on because that’s a reflection of weakness.”

She added that many Filipino parents of struggling children often prioritize how others will perceive their parenting skills, saying “it’s always about ‘Oh, what are people going to think about me,’ but it’s never about, ‘Oh, my poor child, how can I help my child?’”

Though the summit continued the necessary conversation about expanding and improving the behavioral health structure to better serve members of AAPI communities, specific and tangible solutions have yet to be implemented across cities with high concentrations of AAPIs.

In other words, it’s up to local and state legislators to partner with mental health organizations and advocacy groups to increase outreach and accessibility — which is what lawmakers in Washington have been pushing for for years.

This summit comes months after Democrats reintroduced the Stop Mental Health Stigma in Our Communities Act, a piece of legislation directing the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services to provide resources for and assist local youth advocacy and mental health organizations.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) first introduced that bill in 2016. She said, “As the only psychologist currently serving in Congress, I know how critical it is to remove the barriers attached to seeking mental health care as well as reduce the stigma and raise awareness of mental health issues.”

In Chu’s reintroduction, she and other co-signers of the bill, pointed to studies conducted that illuminated the reality of Asian America’s mental health problem. Data from the CDC found that suicide was the leading cause of death of 10- to 24-yearold AAPIs from 2018 to 2020 — AAPIs were the only racial group wherein this was the case.

Over the last two years, various nonprofits and research institutes have surveyed the effects of anti-Asian hate among those within the greater AAPI community.

A survey from the global thinktank Coqual from January found that, of the 820 participants, 62% of AAPI professionals believe they are less safe traveling to and from work — several well-known incidents of anti-Asian violence occurred while victims were taking public transportation to or from work.

That survey also found that one in three Asians feel that their work relationships with coworkers and superiors were “negatively impacted by the ongoing violence.”

Moreover, only 26% of those same participants from the Coqual study reported feeling reassured that their workplace is actively working toward racial equity.

Another survey from 2021 found that, among 1,697 AAPI university students across dozens of American colleges and universities, more than 25% reported experiencing discrimination related to COVID-19. Additionally, two-thirds of these students identified at least one mental health condition that they’re managing. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

CA schools get $117-M to turn pavement into green space

by Selen oztuRK Ethnic Media Services

AS extreme heat scorches California, schools preparing to reopen across the Bay Area are also preparing to use the first $47 million of a new $117 million CalFIRE program to shade kids by replacing school pavement with drought-tolerant green space.

Fifteen projects for 100 schools statewide were selected on July 12 to receive this first round of Green Schoolyard Grants, including those in the Oakland and San Francisco Unified School Districts, and the Santa Clara County Office of Education. At least 70% of the $117 million will green schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which are shown in studies to be as much as 7 degrees Fahrenheit hotter in summer than wealthier areas nearby.

The program is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s historic $800 million Extreme Heat Action Plan. As part of the plan, Newsom also launched Heat Ready CA this month. This is a 2-year, $20 million public outreach campaign, with resources available on HeatReadyCA. com, which will guide the state’s response to heat waves by focusing upon vulnerable populations including older adults, frontline workers, those with chronic illness and those who are pregnant.

Children among most vulnerable to extreme heat

Among the most vulnerable are children, whom researchers warn are significantly more susceptible to heat waves than adults. Extreme heat, the deadliest weather event in the country, is consistently linked to more children’s hospital visits nationwide.

In California, 5.9 million K-12 children attend public schools on about 130,000 acres of land.

Alejandra Chiesa, California state director of asphalt conversion at the nonprofit Green Schoolyards America, said in a statement the fact that “much of this land is paved and unshaded leaves vulnerable students across the state exposed to extreme heat.”

In school districts across the Bay Area, maximum summer

temperatures are expected to rise as much as 7.4 degrees Fahrenheit by midcentury, according to state climate projections.

In 90-degree weather, schoolyard surfaces like asphalt — which absorbs up to 90 percent of solar radiation — can be hot enough to cause third-degree burns, while plantshaded surfaces may be 20 to 45 degrees cooler.

More trees, cooler temps

Kira Maritano, senior program manager of the Trust for Public Land (TPL), which won a grant to green 15 schools in the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), said “Many campuses in Oakland are effectively large swaths of asphalt with very limited tree canopy, often in neighborhoods which are themselves park-poor. By increasing the environmental health of schools, we increase it throughout Oakland.”

This Green Schoolyard project, for example, “benefits the Bay and eases the impact on our utility system by absorbing stormwater, it creates habitats for native animals and pollinators, and it helps connect children to nature by giving them direct access. Play spaces with native plants allow more diverse activities than just competitive sports. Schoolyards become community areas for families to gather, and give teachers opportunities for outside, hands-on learning,” she explained.

TPL’s schoolyard work over

the past six years, particularly the renovation of OUSD’s Cesar E. Chavez campus in 2020, has been praised as a model of climate resiliency by state leaders like First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom and Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot. Cesar E. Chavez, in the Fruitvale neighborhood of Oakland, serves 628 students across two elementary schools — International Community School and Think College Now. In 2020, TPL and OUSD transformed the school’s 90% asphalt yard into a green oasis including a vegetable garden, grass field, an outdoor classroom and tree-lined basketball courts.

“We believe that Oakland’s early adoption of schoolyard greening helped inspire the state to invest in it, and we see this investment as just the beginning,” Maritano said. “TPL is currently working to secure an additional $1 billion for greening schools statewide through a proposed school bond. Schools are in almost every community across California, and they’re an underutilized way to bring heat relief to these communities.”

Schools bake under rising heat

Jennifer Mutch, science coordinator for the Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), said that as recordmelting temperatures climb statewide and schools prepare to reopen, it’s often forgotten that children are even more vulnerable to heat-related illness than adults.

Mutch, who won a Green Schoolyard Grant for SCCOE’s Sunol Community School and Opportunity Youth Academy campuses, added “trees and shrubs to be planted at these sites will not only cool temperatures but improve air quality and even mental health,” given that students facing extreme heat are not only “unable to get outside for recess or lunch” but perform significantly worse at exams, which impacts high school graduation rates.

Despite these impacts, she said, schools often have some of the hottest sites in their communities, “especially in the event of power and air conditioning outages.”

The full effect of these factors upon students is unknown, because California does not require schools to have heat interventions like air conditioning, shaded schoolyards or indoor temperature requirements, nor does it track which schools implement them.

Brian Lee, Community Development Director of Covina, California — which won a grant with Charter Oak Unified School District to green a four-acre recreational field at Royal Oak Middle School — said, “When districts face hard choices about how to spend limited budgets, of course they’ll prioritize the education itself. However, this doesn’t leave as much for updating and maintaining the facilities where students are taught, and that can negatively impact the quality of this education.”

New climate focused career paths

These impacts spread well beyond schools, and the mitigation lasts well after planting. The grounds at Royal Oak are heavily used by the entire community, Lee said. “Every day and after dark you see youth soccer or softball, but also adults playing basketball, jogging, walking their dogs, and the heat affects them all. Dirt can retain heat like asphalt, and we have such large expanses of both because what’s often overlooked is what comes after planting, the labor and money to irrigate grass and maintain trees.”

u PAGE 7

Fil-Am teen wins lone gold for US in savate kickboxing

by cheRie m. QueRol moReno Inquirer.net

A SOUTHERN California teen stunned herself, her family and her coach by bagging the gold medal at the Savate Boxing Youth World Championships June 22-24 in Podcetrtek, Slovenia.

Fourteen-year-old Logan Elle Diño, who is of Filipino Vietnamese parentage, literally kickstarted her way to sports celebrity status by winning the first and only U.S. gold in the competition. Her team was the first ever to represent the United States in the ages 13-17 class, making history all around.

“We were in disbelief when the referee raised Logan’s arm,” the champ’s father Max Diño proudly told INQUIRER.net weeks later.

“It was an amazing moment for everyone. Her Lola (paternal grandmother Emma Palomar Dino) is probably her biggest fan and is extremely proud of her. She shared the good news with all her friends.”

They have not had their official victory party yet, says Max, who anticipates “a big family gathering (where) we’ll have all the Lolos, Lolas, Titos, Titas, and cousins over. Then we’ll celebrate.”

A firefighter and paramedic with the Los Angeles Fire Department, Max jubilantly recalled the joyful surprise ending to Logan’s threeday contest:

“The U.S. team lost all their fights the first day. Morale was pretty down. On the second day we lost all our fights until the last fight when (teammate) Sienna McCord won. We were so excited! On the last day Logan won and Sienna lost. Logan got gold and Sienna got silver. Those were the only two medals the U.S. won.”

Held every two years, the competition welcomes fighters from France, Croatia, Italy, Serbia, Ukraine, Austria, Great Britain, Canada, and Ireland, adds Max, who is also in Tactical Emergency Medical Support for LAPD SWAT.

Humble start

The French version of kickboxing called Savate (suh-vaht) is little known here unlike in Europe, where it was believed to have evolved in the 1700s as a form of street fighting in the streets of Paris and as stretch exercises that kept sailors physically fit during long voyages aboard French ships, according to U.S. Savate Federation. Its modern version was developed by Frenchman Michel Casseux

u PAGE 7

Climate Corps Leadership Institute students from Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW) planting a tree on the Pajaro Valley High School campus. WWW was among the 15 organizations to receive the $47 million first round of CalFIRE’s Green Schoolyard Grant program to shade kids by replacing school pavement with drought-tolerant green space. Contributed Photo

Logan delivers a high kick, a signature savate move. Contributed photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

Comelec eyes to complete funding before May 2025 polls

MANILA – A Commission on Elections (Comelec) official said on Thursday, August 3 they hope to complete the necessary budgetary requirements before the holding of the May 2025 elections. This came after the poll body’s 2024 proposed budget was slashed from PHP43.71 billion to PHP27.10 billion, under the proposed PHP5.678-trillion 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted by the Department of Budget and Management to the House of Representatives on Wednesday, August 2.

“While this 2024 budget figure may not cover the total budgetary requirements for the May 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE), we are expecting that the remainder of the said NLE fund requirements will be budgeted for FY 2025 and released in time for the last phase of preparations, which is on the 1st quarter of 2025 itself, and this without further delay,” Comelec spokesperson John Rex Laudiangco said in a Viber message to reporters.

Laudiangco said given the reduction of its 2024 proposed budget, the Comelec may procure on a “lot basis,” particularly for the components of its target

automated election system (AES), depending on the availability of fund allotment.

“At any rate, while most of the components thereof are bundled, the same is clustered naman po, and we could proceed to procure such on a lot basis, with the completion of payments being in time for the 2025 budgeting and release,” he said.

Laudiangco told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the automated counting machines (ACMs) and consumables, including secure digital cards, ballot paper, marking pens, modem, external battery and iButton if still necessary, would constitute one lot.

He said other lots include transmission services, Internet voting services and international end-to-end certification.

“And as stated by the Comelec Chairman (George Erwin Garcia) po, instead of adding support staff for the benefit of the electoral boards, we will have to reduce. Another will be to cluster a greater number of voters, perhaps maximizing to a thousand per clustered precinct, instead of just 800,” Laudiangco said.

He said training and Department of Science and

‘Typhoon damage on economy not substantial’

Technology certification may also be delayed to 2025.

“We can only delay the procurement for so much under the procurement short of award allowed under the rules. But what is imperative here is for the Comelec to receive the funding required for the further modernization of the elections in 2025,” he added.

Garcia said the poll body may resort to reducing support staff.

“Kailangan po kami magtanggal ng ilang items para makatipid. Tulad halimbawa po ng support staff ng bawat presinto o pagpapadami ng botante bawat presinto para hindi ganung kadami ang machines na rentahan ng Comelec kasama ang iba pang collaterals (We need to remove some items to save. For example, [the reduction] of support staff per precinct or increasing the voters in each precinct so the Comelec will not have to rent that many machines and other collaterals),” he said.

Comelec earlier disclosed targets to replace the 97,000 vote counting machines with ACMs through its proposed Fully Automated System with Transparency, Audit and Count (FASTrAC) for the 2025 polls. (PNA) n

Domestic workers are...

in New York, we realized we had to ask domestic workers what they really needed.”

The NDWA set up a conference, reaching out to potential attendees at churches, parks, and other venues. “We listened to each one of them for hours,” she said, noting “there were interpreters in seven languages.”

“Listening to people really helped us win. You have to engage with people who have the most at stake.”

Poo shared her credo: “Listen to learn, not confirm.”

State legislation

10 states have now adopted legislation to protect domestic workers. California passed AB 241 in 2013, granting, in part, overtime pay to domestic workers at one and a half times their regular rate of pay for any hours worked in excess of nine hours in a day or in excess of 45 hours in a week.

Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Virginia also

have some version of a Domestic Workers Rights Bill. And three cities have also passed similar legislation: Philadelphia, Chicago, and Seattle. Philadelphia’s law is considered the strictest in the nation, requiring a written contract with a description of duties, along with rest breaks and meal breaks, as well as paid time off.

Disability care

The attempts to establish such legislation have received push-back from organizations supporting differently-abled people. “Raising the minimum wage for personal attendants without raising Medicaid resources meant that many people would lose access to their care providers. People couldn’t afford care,” explained Poo. She stressed the need to expand financial resources to the disabled community.

“So many false choices trap us,” said Poo. “We need to find the emotional truth.”

“Our biggest challenge is making people understand that change is possible,” she said. “I can’t believe how far we’ve come.” n

by niña myKa Pauline aRceo ManilaTimes.net

THE economy remained stable despite the damage inflicted on the country by several typhoons, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said.

“The thing is this June, July, and August is not really the harvest season in many parts of the country for basic agricultural products, so I think that the damage is not that substantial,” Balisacan said in an interview on Wednesday, August 2.

“We do hope that the impact, especially in agriculture, is not as bad as compared to other episodes of monsoon rains in the past,” Balisacan said.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) said damage and losses in the agricultural and fishery sector are estimated to reach P2.89 billion, affecting 142,365 farmers and fisherfolk.

“So far, in the case of basic commodities like rice, we have adequate stocks. I think a lot of the imports came in the first half of the year and that allowed us to have a buffer,” Balisacan said.

Previously, Malacañang asserted that the country’s rice stocks will last 39 days despite the massive destruction from Typhoon “Egay” and Typhoon “Falcon.”

DA Undersecretary Mercedita Sombilla said that the DA is finding ways to increase production, confirming that the biggest rice production will still come “at the end of September or sometime in October.”

While some of the basic commodities are expected to be affected, Balisacan believes that the impact on inflation is “not going to be that much.”

“Inflation is not just typhoons; it’s all about supply. If you manage any shortfall that arises from these calamities, then there should be no unnecessary long and elevated prices,” he said.

“The cause of high inflation we are seeing in agriculture and food is not from rice, it’s from other commodities,” Balisacan added. “The way we have addressed the perennial rice problem from the past has contributed to that stability in rice prices. While the rice prices have picked up a little bit, partly reflecting the global environment, it’s not the major issue in the scheme of things.”n

Another Pasig rehab

FORMER Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos liked to reminisce about the days when he could swim in the Pasig River. Before motor vehicles became ubiquitous, the river was widely used for passenger and cargo transport. By the time Ramos assumed the presidency, however, the river had become a dumping ground for garbage, industrial effluvia, and even aborted fetuses and the corpses of murder victims. The stench from the river made people avoid it for mass transportation.

Almost every administration has pursued some form of campaign to revive the Pasig River. Success has been spotty, with progress depending on the person in charge of the program. Cleaning up the river gained headway during the Ramos administration when the effort was led by then first lady Amelita Ramos, and then in the early stages of the Duterte administration when the campaign was spearheaded by his first environment secretary, Gina Lopez. Duterte, however, also “disestablished” the Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission, created during the short-lived Estrada presidency.

In the current administration, President Marcos has revived the initiative, with the creation of an “Inter-Agency Council for the Pasig River Urban Development.” Constituted by virtue of Executive Order No. 35 that was issued last week, the council

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

THERE’S a popular idiom that goes, “the heat is on,” referring to a serious situation that needs urgent action.

Well, we are now literally experiencing “hell on earth” with the heat now on in the United States – extreme heat temperatures being experienced from coast to coast for days on end. Triple-digit temperatures have been afflicting massive parts of the U.S. particularly in Phoenix, Arizona that saw temperatures rising to over 110 degrees Fahrenheit or 43.3 degrees Celsius for almost the entire month of July. Washington has not been spared, with the heat index reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit last Friday, July 28, according to the National Weather Service.

An increasing number of heatrelated deaths have also been reported, as the “hellish heat” could also trigger cardiovascular disease and put undue strain on the kidneys and liver. Calling

is tasked, among other things, to enforce easement rules along the Pasig riverbanks. This will include the relocation of informal settlers and elimination of illegal structures.

The now abolished Pasig River Rehabilitation Commission was tasked to restore the river to its “historically pristine condition conducive to transport, recreation and tourism.”

The failure to carry out this mandate is evident in the shutdown of several private and governmentoperated ferry services, due to the proliferation of water lilies and the river pollution that turned off passengers.

The river cleanup, however, was intensified, with regular clearing of water lilies. In December 2019, the Pasig River Ferry Service was relaunched by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority. But the COVID lockdowns interrupted the service. In the latest rehabilitation effort, the government

aims not only to continue cleaning up the river, but also to improve liveability along the riverfront communities. This is an ambitious goal that will require enormous resources and multisectoral cooperation. It will also require sustained

commitment from the government. Merely laying the groundwork for the envisioned riverside urban development, which will be difficult to roll back in succeeding administrations, will be achievement enough. (Philstar.com)

The heat is on; when it rains, it pours

the extreme heat as the number one weather-related killer in the U.S. according to federal data, President Biden noted that even the places that are already used to extreme heat have “never seen it as hot as it is now for as long as it has been,” and that “even those who deny that we’re in the midst of a climate crisis can’t deny the impact the extreme heat is having on Americans.”

And it’s not only the United States that has been suffering extreme heat conditions. In Italy and nearby countries, the situation is described by climate experts as like a “giant pizza oven.” Since last year, the UK has been going through record-breaking temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius, with warnings that the heat could become even more brutal.

According to climate scientists, July 2023 is on track to be the hottest month on record, prompting UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to warn that “humanity is in the hot seat” and that the “era of global warming has ended; the era of global boiling has arrived.”

But while the heat is on across three continents – North America, Europe and certain parts of Asia – people in many other places are experiencing firsthand the painful truth to the saying that “when it rains, it pours.”

This is what happened to the Philippines with Northern Luzon, the Visayas and parts of Mindanao battered by Super Typhoon Egay (international name: Doksuri) over the week, causing massive flooding that displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Several provinces have been placed under a state of calamity, with Abra among the most affected with damaged crops, livestock and homes that have yet to be restored from the impact of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that hit the province in July last year.

It’s very clear that the changing weather patterns are caused by climate change, intensifying the severity of cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons that increase the frequency of flooding, worsening droughts and creating conditions that stoke and prolong wildfires.

What is happening should

serve as a reality check especially for major countries – particularly the United States and China since they are obviously the world’s biggest emitters of greenhouse gases that are causing global temperatures to rise – on the life-threatening impact of climate change.

The world is grateful President Biden has reversed the withdrawal of the U.S. from the 2016 Paris climate pact almost immediately after he assumed office. We are glad to see China is now more open to talks about climate change considering they, too, are feeling the impact, described as “profound” by an official of China’s National Climate Center, with the “extreme weather and climate events” occurring frequently, affecting “a wide range of areas and causing severe disasters.”

People are also encouraged by the recent video call between U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and his Chinese counterpart Xie Zhenhua following their faceto-face meeting in Beijing two weeks ago, with both agreeing to strengthen dialogue and promote global cooperation on

the climate agenda.

As UN Secretary-General Guterres said, climate change is terrifying, but “it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius and avoid the very worst of climate change. But only with dramatic, immediate climate action.”

No doubt the upcoming 2023 UN Climate Change Conference or COP28 in Dubai will be crucial, with people looking upon the world’s leaders to attend and act decisively and deliver on their commitments.

President Marcos has indicated he will attend the conference.

PBBM clearly sees the impact of climate change, especially with the Philippines being one of the most vulnerable countries worldwide.

We are all aware it took the cooperation of the whole world to fight the pandemic that practically closed the world for over two years. Scientists have warned that the next one could be even worse and vaccines may not even work.

People are already suffering, the world is beginning to feel like “hell on earth” and yet here we are engaged in territorial

disputes that could escalate tensions and trigger a war –the likes of which the world has never seen before because of nuclear weapons that could wipe all of us out. With all the natural disasters and calamities that we are seeing and experiencing, we are indeed beginning to think “the end is near.” Time is running out but the world never seems to learn, with people repeating the same mistakes, refusing to change their ways and continuing with activities that will inevitably destroy planet Earth.

With all these things happening on this earth, it seems the vision of billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are indeed “out of this world” when they see the future lying in space, with people migrating to outer space, making it man’s new home. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Marcos Jr. drug war: New face just a facade

ON the fourth Monday of July, there was an elephant in the room.

Amidst the glitz and pomp of the State of the Nation Address (SONA), a glaring omission loomed large. A weighty matter of international importance seemed deliberately brushed aside, tucked away in the recesses of President Marcos’ speech. It was a telling silence.

A strategic avoidance that could not go unnoticed.

Justice advocates awaited with bated breath. What did the president have to say on the recent decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC)? Recall: Just last week, the ICC dismissed the Marcos administration’s appeal and authorized the resumption of the Office of the Prosecutor’s investigation in the Situation in the Philippines.

Much like in the year prior, Mr. Marcos concluded his Sona assuring the Filipino people that the “state of the nation is sound.”

Yet much like the years past, to the human rights advocates, all that was heard was the sound of silence.

Mr. Marcos had only choice

words on the drug war. With well-crafted words, he spun a narrative of transformation, presenting a seemingly gentler approach to the notorious campaign he inherited. He declared that “the campaign against illegal drugs continues— but it has taken on a new face.” Deviating from the visceral and vicious slant of the previous administration, he claims that the drug war “is now geared toward community-based treatment, rehabilitation, education, and reintegration, to curb drug dependence among our affected citizenry.” He continues: “We will relentlessly continue our fight against drug syndicates, shutting down their illegal activities, and dismantling their network of operations.” While dubious in practice, the policies Mr. Marcos speaks of—in principle—gives former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs a much needed facelift. Indeed, seven years into Command Memorandum Circular (CMC) No. 16-2016, the term “drug war” has grown synonymous with “Oplan Tokhang.” But recall, CMC 16-2016 isn’t called “Project Double Barrel” for nothing. The Philippine National Police acted through two prongs: (i) the “Oplan HVT” (“Upper Barrel Approach”) directed at

high-value targets, and (ii) the “Oplan Tokhang” (“Lower Barrel Approach”) aimed at streetlevel personalities. “Tokhang” is a portmanteau of words “toktok” (knock) and “hangyo” (plead); referring to the house visits conducted by the PNP to “urge” the surrender of “drug personalities”—the term of art for street drug peddlers and users.

Though “Project Double Barrel” contemplates a twotiered approach, history shows that the PNP has targeted mostly underprivileged communities through the “Oplan Tokhang.” By the end of Duterte’s term, the body count stood at an estimated 30,000, most of them small-time drug peddlers and slum-dwelling users, and a fifth of them openly killed in police operations. It is for this reason that the “Oplan Tokhang” has become synonymous with the extrajudicial killings in the war on drugs.

Now, Mr. Marcos speaks of shifting the focus from the drug user to the drug syndicate. In this way, he attempts to distance himself from the shadows of the Dutertian past. More than a minor tweak to Duterte’s deterrent approach—criminologically speaking, by focusing on the punishment of lawbreakers— the Marcosian promise now

sings to the tune of rehabilitative justice. However, this new face is but a façade. In a study by the University of the Philippines’ Third World Studies Center, the Dahas project has recorded at least 342 drug-related killings within Mr. Marcos’ first year as president—including 115 killed during the PNP’s anti-illegal drug operations. He presents to us a thin veil, barely hiding the truth. Indeed, chilling realities that lie beneath the surface. The Oplan Tokhang’s” legacy is one of extrajudicial killings and a climate of fear that continues to haunt the nation.

While the Marcos administration has announced that it would no longer engage with the ICC, clearly it is still playing ball with the court of law. It is playing both sides, signaling to the one camp that it will not recognize the international tribunal’s jurisdiction and exercise thereof, yet in that same breath gesticulate its departure from Duterte and its compliance with international standards. Indeed, somewhere in his Sona, Mr. Marcos even managed to plug in something of a faint semblance of accountability by indicating that “unscrupulous law enforcers and others involved in the highly nefarious drug trade have been exposed” and will resign. Though on closer

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

scrutiny, he himself reveals this administrative measure is imposed not for drug war-related crimes, but for “corruption or incompetence in government.”

Mr. Marcos should be wary: If he does not tread carefully, the drug war will no longer be only Duterte’s but his own. And though the Philippines has withdrawn from the Rome Statute, history shows, as I am sure, Mr. Marcos and his advisors are aware, that there is no situation beyond international accountability. Whether it be through the United Nations Security Council-made tribunals like in the former Yugoslavia

and Rwanada, or through Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute which may give the ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed even after the Philippines’ withdrawal— all these serve as a staunch reminder to the president that it remains well within his interest to distance himself from Duterte and the Dutertian drug war. (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.

* * * thinkjustly@gmail.com

Priority bills to develop PH natural gas industry hurdles lower chamber

MANILA – The House of Representatives has approved on final reading on Wednesday, August 2 two priority bills identified by the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) that would develop the Philippines’ downstream natural gas industry and establish an effective environmental and natural capital accounting. During the plenary session, a total of 215 lawmakers voted to approve House Bill (HB) 8456 or the Philippine Downstream Natural Gas Industry Development Act (PDNGI), which would allow a shift of the country’s power generation away from coal and toward natural gas. Only three lawmakers voted against the measure, while no one abstained from voting.

House Speaker Martin Romualdez, author of the measure, said it seeks to promote natural gas as a safe, environment-friendly, efficient and cost-effective source of energy.

“It’s high time that we enforce, implement, and use clean energy to mitigate the effects of climate change. We have to start now to veer away from the conventional but hazardous method of generating power, for the benefit of our future generation,” Romualdez said.

House Bill 8456 provides regulatory policies and promotes the conversion of existing equipment and facilities from using fossil fuel to natural gas.

The Department of Energy shall be tasked to supervise and monitor the development of the PDNGI, as well as the regulation of the construction and operation of natural gas pipelines and related facilities for the transmission, distribution, and supply of natural gas.

The chamber also approved on third reading HB 8443 which seeks to establish the Philippine Ecosystem and Natural Capital Accounting System (PENCAS) with 215 votes.

The bill provides a framework that takes into account the country’s natural capital and its impact on the economy through the establishment of a system for the collection, compilation and development of natural capital accounts in the government as a tool for development planning and programming, policy analysis and decision-making.

The PENCAS will also serve as a comprehensive data framework in the generation of natural capital statistics and accounts for their progressive integration in macroeconomic indicators.

“We acknowledge that solid data is crucial in preserving and developing our natural capital and with this proposed legislation, we hope to provide tools and measures that can contribute to the protection, conservation, and restoration of ecosystems,” Romualdez said.

“This bill also intends to provide a framework in the generation of natural capital statistics and accounts toward their progressive integration in macroeconomic indicators that is why the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Interagency Committee on Environment and Natural Resources Statistics, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) shall work hand-in-hand in the implementation of the measure,” he added.

Under the bill, the PSA will have the overall responsibility for the institutionalization and implementation of PENCAS following the System of Environmental-Economic Accounting framework.

This refers to a framework that integrates both economic and environmental data to provide a more comprehensive and multipurpose view of the interrelationships among the economy, the environment and ecosystems, and the stocks and changes in stocks of natural assets, as they bring benefits to humanity.

The bill also requires NEDA approval before commencing any development projects involving PENCAS, which are proposed to be undertaken by the national government, national government agencies, government-owned and -controlled corporations, LGUs, and private investors. (PNA) n

Fil-Am teen wins lone gold for US in savate kickboxing...

and later by Charles Lecour, who combined kicks with punches typical of English boxing in his self-defense studio.

From its humble beginnings the sport drew the interest of the nobility, eventually being regulated in the 1900s. Savate earned legitimacy as a combat sport when it was included in the 1924 Olympics, its first and last time at the quadrennial international multi-sports tournament. Seventy years later across the Atlantic, the U.S. Savate Federation was founded. Its current president is JoAnn Wabsica, Logan’s head coach along with Ed Monaghan.

The name comes from the French word for “shoe” or the Spanish “zapato” because of the boots worn in competition along with gloves. While boxing and karate both use belt colors to signify rankings, savate uses glove colors, though fighters may use the same glove colors through a promotion. Beginners, however, start with colorless gloves. Logan prefers black but wear brown gloves, per Max.

Also known as “boxe Francaise,” graceful movements, high kicks and open-hand strikes define the sport’s moves.

If the description sounds familiar, it’s because savate actually comprises the balletic fluidity of motion which sets the legendary Bruce Lee apart from martial artists of his time. Indeed, the “dragon” himself incorporated savate techniques in his Jeet Kune Do style as have many practitioners of mixed martial arts today.

Diño’s expertise coincidentally burst onto the global stage at the same time Bruce Lee loyalists commemorated his 50th death anniversary, adding

wattage to her achievement and underscoring Lee’s enduring influence on martial arts.

Lee’s fellow California native and young champion disciple admires his “very sharp, clean movements and forms” but also looks up to him as a “great philosopher” whose maxim “Be water, my friend” she says “resonates the most” with her.

She learned the exhortation at her gym, Ekata Martial Arts in Santa Clarita, and explains it thus: “To be like water is to adapt to your circumstances. Water flows around obstacles, may it be a rock in a river or a boat in the ocean. Water also changes shape when put into an object such as a cup or a bowl. When a tough situation arises, we can simply move around it or change so we can conquer the problem.”

The ethic is something she shares with her father and is reflected in their Slovenia experience. Knowing how well she had trained, he was happy and proud just to see her exhibit her skills and courage, he says, but neither pressured her nor took for granted that she would

win.

Family feat Logan’s feat is her family’s too. Max and his wife, Susan (Lee) are both athletic.

While in college Max took up Jeet Kune Do and Muay Thai for fun and fitness, not for competition and definitely not to hurt people, he stresses. He touts Susan, a program manager with a tech company, as a world record-holder power lifter.

As new parents, they had concurred that their firstborn should learn to defend herself (son Rayden was born three years later). At the age of 4, Logan began martial arts training. At first she almost quit, Dad shared something common among tots that prodded them to give Logan a break.

But there was no turning back when she returned to the ring later. At 8 she embraced savate and at 11 when she took to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. She had barely marked her 14th birthday when she earned her junior black belt in Xuan Tong Gung Fu, says her father, who considers training in said various martial

arts “a good balance.”

Diverse, describes the interests of Logan, who will be in 10th grade at Canyon High School in the fall. Savate, she told her dad, ranks “somewhere in the middle” between her priorities – reading, art and video games followed by puzzles and Lego and ukulele.

“She definitely benefits from the personalized one-on-one training we do together,” Max says of the extra training with him as having contributed to her success. “I just reinforce what she learns in class and try to improve her physical conditioning. I try to help her in whatever way I can. Sometimes

I’m just her punching bag!”

Max may be Logan’s supplemental coach, but he is no stage dad. He would support Logan and Rayden in whatever they aspire to do or become down the road. In fact he says he wouldn’t want Logan to go into professional fighting because of the potential for injury “particularly brain trauma.”

Logan seems to share the sentiment. While she values her creative and athletic activities, she told Inquirer.net that she is proudest of her academic achievements, particularly her NASA award for Excellence in Math.

Further into the future, she envisions college at UCLA as a path to the medical profession. That would definitely call for a fiesta led by her Lola Emma and Lolo Ricardo Diño, a retired diplomat from Bicol, who planted their roots in this country in the 1980s when Max was an infant. These days they’re content to be the de facto pep squad, cheering the many and various accomplishments of the American generation of their family. n

CA schools get $117-M to turn...

Jonathan Pilch, executive director of Watsonville Wetlands Watch (WWW), which received a grant to green four school campuses in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, incorporates student help in maintaining trees on campuses.

“Tree maintenance is a long term challenge. We meet it by involving students in urban forestry not only as a way to build extreme heat resilience in schools, but as a lifelong career path. So far we’ve graduated 36 high school students thru our Climate Corps Leadership Institute, which has a

yearlong urban forestry program.”

Watsonville, located in Santa Cruz County, has exceptionally low tree cover: 10% currently, and 8% when WWW started its urban forestry work in 2018. Throughout the city, Pilch said, “School campuses both have the lowest canopy cover” — often less than 5% — “and gain the most from tree equity, for both environmental and student health.”

WWW will develop its plans by holding in-class and extracurricular workshops with students, parents, teachers, engineers and landscape architects across all four

schools over the next year. Forestation will target the hottest and least-covered parts of each site, such as tree-lined borders and walkways that improve campus air quality.

“The most effective way to help an environment is to help those living in it at the same time,” said Pilch. “This grant is crucial not only because it lets us plant schoolyards; that’s the beginning. Trees are deep-rooted and slow-growing. It also lets us think about these spaces as living schoolyards, and about how maintaining them can transform every aspect of a learning environment in the long run.” n

LAFD firefighter Max Diño introduced his firstborn Logan to martial arts to learn self-defense. Max and Susan Diño and their son Rayden traveled to Slovenia to cheer Logan. Contributed photos

Other nations have no business questioning EDCA sites, says defense chief

by John eRic menDoza Inquirer.net

MANILA — Defense

Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

on Thursday, August 3 said that no nation has the right to question the Enhance Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites in the Philippines.

The EDCA sites are inside the Philippine military bases in which the United States forces are allowed to rotate and store defense equipment and supplies.

“EDCA, first and foremost, is Philippine base. All countries in the world build bases. We do not question the bases being built by other countries except when they are being built on contested territory,” Teodoro

said in a chance interview during his visit to Lal-lo, Cagayan, where an EDCA site is located.

“This is Philippine territory, and it is our business what we do here just as long as it is for Philippine interest, and here, the United States and we converge in our intended use for this, and it is not any other countries’ business to question what we do here,” Teodoro added.

China has earlier questioned the new EDCA sites, particularly those relatively near Taiwan, saying the agreement was made so that Washington could “encircle and contain

China” which would drag the Philippines into “the Taiwan question.”

In response, Teodoro said that the new EDCA sites’ proximity in Taiwan is just a “geographical accident,” stressing that these locations are chosen with the country’s national interest in mind.

There are currently nine EDCA sites in the country.

In April, Malacañang named the four new EDCA sites — Camilo Osias Naval Base in Sta. Ana town and Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo town, both in Cagayan province; Camp Melchor dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela and Balabac, the southernmost island in Palawan province.

Three of these new sites — those in Cagayan and Isabela

— are relatively near Taiwan, a self-ruled island which China regards as a renegade province subject to reunification.

The five other EDCA sites are Antonio Bautista Air Base in Palawan, which is closest to the Kalayaan Group of Islands; Basa Air Base in Pampanga, the home of the Philippine Air Force’s fighter planes; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija, the country’s largest military camp and a frequent location of Philippine-U.S. military exercises; Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu and Lumbia Air Base in Cagayan de Oro City.

Teodoro said there is a need to fast track the development in all of these sites, particularly the four new ones. n

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

CASE NUMBER: 37-2023-00029564-CU-PT-CTL TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL CALABRESE filed a petition with this court for a decree changing

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014665

REICROCHET located at 1548 Ravina Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Maricel Campollo, 1548 Ravina Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Individual.

FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 1215

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014986

San Diego Rustic located at 34A 17th St. East, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Carl Frank, 6261 Via Regla, San Diego, CA 92112.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF07/15/2019.

Signature: Carl Frank. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/18/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9016120

Sole Talk Therapy located at 5348 Carroll Canyon Rd Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92121.

Registrant: Krystle Lejano, 5348 Carroll Canyon Rd Ste 101, San Diego, CA 92121.

This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/02/2023.

Signature: Krystle Lejano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/02/2023.

AJ 1223 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, and 08/25/2023. AJSD 1223

NAME STATEMENT

NO. 2023-9013695

Papis Birria located at 2924 Ridgeway Dr., National City, 91950.

Registrant: Papis Birria LLC, 2924 Ridgeway Dr., National City, 91950. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 06/28/2023.

Signature: Ivan Cruz. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/28/2023.

AJ 1214 07/14, 07/21, 07/28, and 08/04/2023. AJSD 1214

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9015098

MAARA Food Co. LLC located at 791 Avenida Solaria, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: MAARA Food Co. LLC, 791 Avenida Solaria, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/19/2023.

Signature: Mioak Hoh. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/19/2023.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9016022

Lux Diamond Buyers located at 222 Eaton Way #2, Vista, CA 92084.

Registrant: Edward David Torrison, 222 Eaton Way #2, Vista, CA 92084. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 02/15/2020.

Signature: Edward David Torrison.

LEGAL SERVICES FOR RENT

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/01/2023.

AJ 1224 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, and 08/25/2023. AJSD 1224

NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014538

Llama Kitchen located at 406 N. Hickory St., Apt 9, Escondido, CA 92025.

Registrant: Antonio O. Passano, 406 N. Hickory St., Apt 9, Escondido, CA 92025.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/12/2023.

Signature: Antonio O. Passano. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/12/2023. AJ 1216 07/21, 07/28, 08/04, and 08/11/2023. AJSD 1216

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9014962

Orchid Thai Spa and Bodyworks located at 297 3rd Ave, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Aiyara Thai Massage And Spa LLC, 8877 Spectrum Center Blvd Unit 11204, San Diego CA 92123. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/18/2023.

Signature: Yu Li. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 07/18/2023.

AJ 1222 08/04, 08/11, 08/18, and 08/25/2023. AJSD 1222

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2023-9013028 Green Lotus Organic Farm located at 2736 Arland Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008. Registrant: Green Lotus Organic Farm, 2736 Arland Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 05/20/2023.

Signature: Michelle Lin. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 06/20/2023. AJ 1218 07/21, 07/28, 08/04, and 08/11/2023. AJSD 1218

Torrey del Mar Apartments, a 112-unit affordable community in San Diego is closing its waitlist by August 7, 2023! This property offers affordable 1-, 2- & 3-bedroom apartments with rents from $500-$1,842 per month. Pre-applications for the waitlist will be accepted until Monday, August 7, 2023 at 5PM.

To apply, visit BRIDGE Housing Website at: https://bridgehousing.com/properties/torrey-del-mar/

The office is located at 13875 Carmel Valley in San Diego. Office hours are Mon-Fri. from 9 AM-5 PM. Amenities include community room with kitchen, laundry facilities, Swimming pool and outdoor play areas. For more information call us at (858) 7808760. Income and other restrictions apply. Section-8 welcome. EHO.

VOTERS’ LIST. Dabawenyos check their names on the voters’ list posted outside the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office located at Magsaysay Park in Davao City on Thursday, Aug. 3. Young voters were seen making sure that they could vote in the upcoming Sangguniang Kabataan and Barangay elections on Oct. 30, 2023. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.

Rising star Jillian Abaya takes audiences on a captivating journey in ‘The Great Gatsby –The Immersive Show ‘

by MOMar G. Visaya / AJPress

STEP into the Jazz Age wonderland of “The Great Gatsby” and get enchanted by the stellar performance of Jillian Anne Abaya. As the talented Filipino-American actor graces the immersive off-Broadway stage, she weaves a spellbinding portrayal of Daisy Buchanan, delighting audiences in every performance.

In a candid interview with the Asian Journal, Jillian takes us on her captivating journey from auditions to the spotlight, revealing the highs and heartwarming connections she experiences each night, and how this unique show has become the most exhilarating experience of her life.

A graduate of NYU Tisch Spring 2022, Jillian was excited to learn about the immersive production coming to the city. Her path to “The Great Gatsby – The Immersive Show” started when her agent called her for an audition back in late August.

However, after getting a callback in September and auditioning with her co-stars, Stephanie Rocio and Joel Acosta, who play Jordan Baker and Jay Gatsby respectively, Jillian knew she had to be a part of this production.

The waiting period to hear back from the casting team was emotional for Jillian.

“I felt so strongly towards the production already, and I knew it was something I needed to be a part of,” she admitted. Fortunately, the call finally came, four months after her graduation. Jillian’s excitement turned into reality as she stepped into the world of “The Great Gatsby –The Immersive Show.”

Being a part of an immersive show was a thrilling experience for Jillian. The production surpassed her expectations, with grand sets, intricate details, and captivating costumes.

“There was absolutely no way I could imagine what this could be,” she shared, as each night brings unique surprises and challenges, making her dive into improvisation and bounce off the audience’s energy. “It’s the most fun I’ve had in my whole life. I get to talk to the audience and hear their love stories.”

As Daisy Buchanan, Jillian’s character holds a special place in the hearts of the audience. With about 75% of her scenes involving interactions with the audience, Jillian feels a deep connection with the spectators.

“I get to talk to people every single night, and it’s such a gift as an actor and a person,” she said. One particular scene, known as “first loves,” allows her to hear numerous love stories, from the blissful to the heart-wrenching. The trust the audience places in her is touching, as they share personal stories and vulnerabilities with her.

Jillian’s Daisy Buchanan is far from the one-dimensional portrayal often seen in the book or movies. “I wanted to avoid the negative language and make Daisy playful, like your best friend who’s trying to hold it together,” she explained. Her Daisy is multifaceted, showing different shades of emotions, from joy to vulnerability.

“The Great Gatsby – The Immersive Show” is an immersive experience that offers the audience multiple perspectives of the story. With characters diverging into different rooms, each performance becomes a

Anne open to working on acting projects with GMA

By boy abunDa Philstar.com

AN absolute emotional roller coaster. That was how Anne Curtis described her feelings when the “rigodon” of the three noontime shows on television — It’s Showtime, E.A.T. and Eat Bulaga — happened recently, which also caught everyone by surprise.

“I think noong panahon na ‘yun medyo mixed emotions talaga siya. We were scared, we were sad, we were curious. And then, we became excited, we became happy, and grateful. It was really a roller coaster of emotions during that period,” said Anne after It’s Showtime moved from TV5 to GMA network-owned GTV Channel.

“And now, we are so excited and happy to come to work every day because our family has gotten bigger,” added Anne who pleasantly greeted the viewers of Fast Talk with Boy Abunda with, “Hello po, Madlang Kapuso, Madlang Pipol, Madlang Kapamilya!

Her guesting on my show was not the first time for Anne to set foot inside the premises of GMA Network. It was 13 years ago when she guested on various Kapuso programs to promote the 2010 movie In Your Eyes that she starred in with Richard Gutierrez and Claudine Barretto.

Anne began reminiscing about her early days in show business when I told her I still remember the first time I interviewed her inside the Viva office when she was just 13 years old. She revealed that the many firsts in her acting life actually happened in the Kapuso network.

“My first-ever teleserye was on GMA, my first-ever comedy show was on GMA. Perhaps, my firstever dancing experience and even my first singing experience were also on GMA.

“So, there were many firsts.

I remember, I think Viva and GMA were working very closely before so nag-T.G.I.S. ako Anna Karenina, Ikaw Na Sana and I also became part of Nuts Entertainment.” I asked if she’s open to working on acting projects with GMA, Anne agreed with nary a sign of hesitation.

“Oo naman po,” she affirmed and added, “Even before It’s Showtime was on GTV, I was able to do a film with GMA Films and Viva because I am under Viva naman, so I am still able to collaborate with GMA.”

Perhaps, having It’s Showtime on GTV may once again be the beginning of Anne guesting on various GMA shows. Besides, a good number of Kapuso artists have already appeared on It’s Showtime.

It’s Showtime first premiered on Oct. 24, 2009 on ABS-CBN until the network went off air after the franchise lapsed three years ago. But the noontime show has continued to provide viewers with an entertaining experience on various platforms like GTV, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, TFC and A2Z.

The noontime show has a stellar lineup of hosts that includes — aside from Anne — Vice Ganda, Kim Chiu, Vhong Navarro, Jugs Jugueta, Teddy Corpuz, Ryan Bang, Karylle, Jhong Hilario, Amy Perez, Ion Perez, Jackie Gonzaga, Ogie Alcasid, MC Muah and Lassy Marquez, among others.

“I think what makes Showtime work is that our main goal ever since (it premiered) was to make the Madlang Pipol happy and along that journey, we were able to form a family and share that same goal.”

Like in every family, the tampuhan” and “pikunan” are inevitable. Anne narrated how she and Vice argued over a watermelon shake.

“It was funny because our argument was only because of a watermelon shake. We’re like siblings who would fight over minor things. Dahil natapon yung watermelon shake sabi n’ya (Vice), ‘Tinapon mo ‘yung watermelon shake.’ Tapos doon na ‘yun nag-start.”

Anne was quick to say sorry and after one or two days, she and Vice were okay again and back to their usual exchange of banter off- and on-cam.

She made clear that there was no major fight between them. “Anything beyond that, wala pa kaming away na ganun. ‘Yung mga petty, ganoon lang. That’s the first and last disagreement.”

Meanwhile, on Fast Talk, Anne was touched by the gesture of siblings Ronald and Reymark Molbog who personally handed a charcoal painting to Anne as their way of expressing gratitude.

Anne was presented with a portrait of her and husband Erwan Heussaff while she was still pregnant with Dahlia. According to Ronald, who did the artwork, Anne shouldered the remaining balance of Reymark’s hospital bills during the height of

unique journey for both actors and viewers.

Jillian believes that watching the show from different angles can enhance the overall experience. For those seeking the big picture, sitting in the jazz bar, the main playing space, provides a complete story, according to her. Alternatively, diving into various rooms and perspectives over multiple visits unlocks new layers of the narrative.

In her personal life, Jillian draws inspiration from her multicultural background.

Raised in a household with a Filipino father and a GermanItalian mother, she cherishes the support and love they have always provided. Her father, a proud and supportive parent, has seen the show multiple times and beams with pride at his daughter’s achievements.

Jillian’s journey into the world of performing started when she played Dorothy Gale in “The Wizard of Oz” during her sixth grade. The experience was transformative, igniting her passion for storytelling through acting. She knew then that the stage was where she belonged, and with each performance, she brings magic to the audience.

As Jillian Abaya continues to shine as Daisy Buchanan, her talent, dedication, and love for immersive storytelling keep captivating the hearts of audiences who get to experience the show.

The Gatsby Mansion Gatsby Mansion, located within the Park Central Hotel, is New York City’s newest and most enthralling immersive nightspot.

Spanning over 16,000 square feet of the hotel’s ballroom space, the venue has undergone a complete renovation to transport visitors back to the extravagant world of the 1920s.

With its private entrance on 55th Street and Seventh Avenue, guests directly enter the mesmerizing realm of Gatsby Mansion, a world filled with redhot rhythms, bootleg liquor, and jazz-age self-indulgence.

Upon purchasing a ticket to “The Great Gatsby - The Immersive Show,” guests receive an exclusive invitation to one of Jay Gatsby’s legendary parties. The show promises a heart-racing experience, where attendees can dance, gossip, and clink glasses with iconic characters like Nick Carraway, Daisy and Tom Buchanan, Myrtle Wilson, and, of course, the enigmatic host, Jay Gatsby himself.

As champagne flows and drama unfolds, attendees are immersed in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic tale, brought to life in this theatrical adaptation direct from London, after seven years of sold-out performances.

The environment at Gatsby Mansion is meticulously designed to provide an allencompassing experience, fully transporting guests back to the roaring 1920s. As they enter, they are transported to a world of opulence and luxury.

Attendees have the unique chance to meet Mr. Gatsby himself in his exclusive bar or follow him and other guests into smaller rooms and spaces. Interaction is encouraged but entirely at the discretion of each guest, allowing them to participate as much or as little as they desire.

While a 1920s dress code is encouraged, it is not compulsory, ensuring that everyone feels comfortable in the experience.

The goal is to create an authentic atmosphere that reflects the era’s glamour and allure.

Gatsby Mansion aims to be an unforgettable nightspot, where guests can escape the present and step into the past.

The show has already garnered international acclaim, with productions across three continents, including the UK, Ireland, South Korea, and Belgium (in three different languages).

As the hottest ticket in town, Gatsby Mansion promises to

Anne Curtis Photo from Instagram/@annecurissmith

Jillian Abaya, the talented Filipino-American actor, is making waves in the off-Broadway show “The Great Gatsby,” an immersive experience where the cast interacts with the audience.

Jillian’s journey to this role began with a callback audition in September, and she was thrilled to be a part of this unique production. As Daisy Buchanan, Jillian’s character engages with the audience, making them feel like her best friends.

Jillian Anne Abaya (Daisy Buchanan) and Joél Acosta (Jay Gatsby) Photos by Joan Marcus (2023)

Standing (L-R): Mya Rosado-Tran (Charlie McKee), Keivon Akbari (George Wilson), Claire Saunders (Myrtle Wilson), Anika Braganza (Gilda), Joél Acosta (Jay Gatsby), Rob Brinkmann (Nick Carraway), Charlie Marcus (Meyer Wolfsheim), Stephanie Rocío (Jordan Baker). Sitting (L-R): Shahzeb Hussain (Tom Buchanan), Jillian Anne Abaya (Daisy Buchanan), Nicholas Caycedo (Joey), Jeremiah Ginn (Owl Eyes), Stephanie Cha (Kitty Klipspringer), Kiki Burns (Lucille)

Photo by Joan Marcus

All set for pageant night of the year: Miss Filipina International 2023

EVERYTHING is set for the biggest Filipina pageant of the year – the Miss Filipina International (MFI) coronation night on Saturday, August 5, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills.

The first-ever Filipina pageant to be held in the Beverly Hills landmark hotel, home of the Golden Globe Awards and other prestigious Hollywood red carpet events, is shaping up to be one of the best-celebrity laden shows this year. Geoffrey Jimenez, chairman and CEO of Worldwide Media Entertainment Corporation, the new owner of MFI, is also the show’s executive producer.

Thirty-six outstanding candidates, representing various states across America and several countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom and the Philippines, are vying for these titles: Miss Filipina International; Miss Tourism; First Runner-up; Second Runner-up; and Third Runner-up.

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

The following are the MFI 2023 official candidates:

• Hannah Pearcey

• Matea Mahal Smith

• Alexia Reign Hernandez

• Jesse Grace Felix Soriano

• Ella Del Rosario

• Rylen Faith Steinbuch

• Brooke Barredo

• Claudia Vidanes

• Denisse Nicole Samaniego

• Patricia Bianca Tapia

• Janessa Gwen Rubio

• Amanda Russo

• Keilin Danao Tankiamco

• Alyanna Joelle Santos

• Katie Sophia McIlroy

• Sandra Irene Goff

• Aira Lei Maigue

• Angelique De la Cruz

• Princess Caventa Reyes

• Kawena Janessa Kanhai

• Mia Valdes

• Mary Ann Monda

• Heather Casigna

• Lauren Skeoch

• Hope Corpus

• Hannah Angelica Marte

• Samantha Gavin

• Sarah Lizaso Obal

• Beatriz Mclelland

• Jessica Zemanek

• Issha Rose Mata

• Aliza Orjalo

• Ronniedith Dimapasoc

• Skylar Vasquez

• Dakota Swart

• Kelly McIlroy.

Among the personalities flying from the Philippines to attend the thrilling event are the reigning Miss Universe Philippines, Michelle Dee, and popular singer-actor-host Alden Richards.

As an actress, entrepreneur and lifelong advocate of various causes, Dee is relentless in using her platform as Miss Universe Philippines 2023 to help people achieve their greatest potential by leading by example. Growing up with two siblings on the autism spectrum inspired her to work closely with advocacy groups and is the driving force in her service as the president of the Inner Peace Foundation and the Goodwill Ambassador of Autism Society Philippines.

Richards is known as Asia’s Multimedia Star after winning the 2019 Asian Star Prize honors at the 14th Seoul International Drama Awards. He is the recipient of prizes from the 51st GMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards and the 18th Gawad Tanglaw Awards. Richards topbills GMA Pictures films and

the television show, “All Out Sundays.” Jimenez also previously announced that the star-studded MFI pageant, to be aired by GMA Network, will be hosted by popular TV personalities, Jeannie Mai Jenkins (“The Real”) and Cheryl Burke (“Dancing with the Stars”). Mario Lopez of “Access TV” will join as a special guest presenter.

Lisa Lew, multiple Daytime Emmy winner (“Cristina’s Court” and “Judge Judy” and the groundbreaking “Last Shot with Judge Gunn”) is the producer of MFI. Joseph Carolei, Daytime Emmy-winning director of “The Talk” and the 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, will direct MFI, which promises to be one of the most special live events this year.

In addition to the previously announced top prize of a BMW

San Diego Public Library’s

career online high school students celebrate graduation Students earn nationally accredited high school diploma

SAN DIEGO – With a goal of providing access to opportunities and successful careers, the City of San Diego Public Library (SDPL) is celebrating the Career Online High School classes of 2022 and 2023 with a ceremony at the Downtown Central Library. On Thursday, August 3, students walked across the stage of the library’s Neil Morgan Auditorium at 5:30 p.m. in the first full graduation ceremony since 2019.

Career Online High School is one of two free high school diploma programs offered at SDPL. Students have 18 months to complete the high school diploma coursework and can also earn a certificate in one of eight high-demand career fields.

“The Library’s adult high school diploma programs are lifechanging for those who participate,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “Earning high school diplomas can set these graduates on a path to achieve their personal and professional goals. Seeing the hard work and dedication of the students is inspiring, and the San Diego Public Library is proud to be a part of their success stories.”

SDPL launched the Career Online High School Program in 2015. It offers students the flexibility to take classes online and access schoolwork 24/7. Students also have support from an academic coach, resume and cover letter help, and the opportunity to attend seminars and webinars focused on job skills and the job market.

To learn more about SDPL’s adult high school diploma programs and how to apply, visit the library’s Adult Education webpage.

With a vision of being the place for opportunity, discovery and inspiration, the San Diego Public Library is a hub for knowledge and lifelong learning. As the largest library system in the region, it serves a population of more than 1.4 million people. Learn about events at the San Diego Central Library @ Joan Irwin Jacobs Common and 35 community branch libraries, find links to programs and resources or search for materials in the online catalog at www. sandiegolibrary.org.

(SDPL Release) n

2 Series car, the winner will also receive a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin Beverly Hills. Other prizes include $5,000 cash and a $10,000 gift certificate from iSkin for Miss Tourism; a $2,500 cash prize and a $5,000 gift certificate from iSkin for each of the First, Second and Third Runners-up. The winner will also get 20 restaurant-quality healthy meals from FlexPro Meals and a month’s supply of Celsius Beverages. MFI’s sponsors include Philippine Airlines, BMW, Jojo Bragais Shoes, Narcisa Pheres (MFI crown designer), iSkin Beverly Hills, Biaggi Luggage, Bell Beachwear, The Beverly Hilton, See’s Candies Manila, FlexPro Meals and Celsius Beverages.

More details at https:// www.facebook.com/ missfilipinainternational. n

Rising star Jillian...

PAGE 9

be a hotspot for those seeking an immersive journey into the dazzling world of the 1920s.

For those eager to experience the magic of “The Great Gatsby,”

Jillian Abaya’s performance is not to be missed. As she brings Daisy Buchanan to life on the off-Broadway stage, audiences are treated to an immersive

and enthralling experience that transports them to the dazzling world of the 1920s. This talented FilipinoAmerican actor has proven that she is a force to be reckoned with, and her journey in “The Great Gatsby” is only the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable career in the world of theater. n

The 36 outstanding candidates with Geoffrey Jimenez, chairman and CEO of Miss Filipina International, who is also the executive producer of the exciting pageant show slated for this Saturday, August 5, at The Beverly Hilton.

Photo by Phillip Ner

Michelle Dee, the reigning Miss Universe Philippines. Alden Richards, popular singer-actor-host.

City of San Diego completes repairs on hundreds of streetlights in downtown

More than 700 streetlights repaired as part of a project in Gaslamp, East Village and downtown neighborhoods

SAN DIEGO – More than

700 broken and vandalized streetlights in Downtown have been repaired ahead of schedule as part of a collaborative effort between the City of San Diego and the Downtown San Diego Partnership. The project, which launched in May, focused on East Village and Gaslamp Quarter using data-driven analysis to prioritize repairs by geographical location.

“Functioning streetlights are crucial for safe, vibrant and thriving communities. That’s why we have dedicated new resources to repairing streetlights in neighborhoods across San Diego,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “We are continuing to work to repair streetlights across the city — and we will get it done.”

In addition to 710 streetlights being repaired, crews installed 129 anti-theft covers to prevent future outages, as many of the broken lights were caused by vandals who broke into the light poles and damaged or removed the wiring. Repairs conducted by city crews and contractors included replacing fuses, fuse holders, photocells and cabling to circuits.

With the streetlight repairs completed in Downtown, city teams were able to close approximately 600 outstanding Get It Done reports.

“Repairing more than 700 broken and vandalized streetlights in Downtown is a significant milestone, making Downtown San Diego safer for everyone,” said Councilmember Stephen Whitburn, who represents District 3. “Let this project stand as a testament to

PAGE 9

County’s mini home-kitchen program reaches one-year anniversary without a hitch

IT’S been one year and counting since hopeful chefs looking for a way to start a business in their homes found one through the County’s Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO) program.

On February 25, 2022, the County opened its application process for the two-year temporary program that allows home chefs countywide to operate mini-restaurants with the ability to serve up to 30 in-person, take out or delivery meals a day for a maximum of 60 a week.

As of July 31, 2023, the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) has issued 63 permits to successful MEHKOs operating throughout San Diego County. Food offerings by MEHKOs include a diverse array of cuisines from around the word including Japan, Egypt, Trinidad & Tobago, Italy, Indonesia, Mexican and American.

The county is the regional local authority that conducts health inspections for all restaurants and food facilities countywide. The county is also the governing body to consider MEHKO authorization for the unincorporated areas and the county’s 18 cities.

“This program has opened the door, for the first time, to allow people who previously could not open their own restaurant the option to start a small food business,” said Ryan Johnson, Chief of Departmental Operations for DEHQ’s Food and Housing Division. “Our department is focused on helping these new business owners understand proper food safety practices related to operating a small restaurant as well as guiding them through the state law requirements for operating a home-based food operation.”

According to DEHQ, none of the local jurisdictions or wastewater agencies in

File photo/www.sandiegocounty.gov the region have reported any community impacts, such as traffic, parking, noise, grease disposal, trash, fire, fire risk or odor, related complaints that have resulted from MEHKO operations.

The county works with the MEHKO operator to help them return to compliance and continue their operation when there are complaints.

The county has conducted outreach and provided education in many languages to various local stakeholder groups, including the San Diego MEHKO Coalition, Cook Alliance and many others. This ongoing communication has helped MEHKO operators share helpful information about the program in their community.

“Being able to operate an inspected and permitted home kitchen for selling homemade food to the community has been transformative for many families and

individuals. The relatively low cost of entry has dismantled barriers and empowered entrepreneurs who were previously unable to be legal business owners, providing them and their families with economic sustainability,” said Karen Melvin with San Diego MEHKO Coalition.

Prior to the temporary authorization of the MEHKO program ending on February 25, 2024, county staff plan to return to the Board to provide a report and receive direction on the future of a MEHKO program for the region and whether to make it permanent. For more information, go to the Department of Environmental Health and Quality’s Home Kitchen Operations webpage at https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/ sdc/deh/fhd/food/homekitchenoperations. html.

(Shauni Lyles/County of San Diego Communications Office) n

our commitment to improving safety conditions. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of city crews and contractors, we are not just fixing lights, but also securing them against future vandalism. Let us continue to shine a light on progress and prioritize safety in all our communities.”

The City of San Diego’s Transportation Department maintains more than 60,000 streetlights citywide and has made progress in addressing the backlog of approximately 6,000 streetlights in need of repair and replacement. In January 2022, the Transportation Department reorganized its repair teams into north and south crews and changed repair prioritization from a chronological “oldest case first” model to a geographical location-based priority model developed by the City’s Performance and Analytics Department.

To continue making progress in reducing the streetlight repair backlog, Fiscal Year 2024’s budget includes an additional $2.3 million for supplemental work performed by citymanaged contractors and will introduce a streetlight safety priority score criteria which will consider prioritization factors such as historic service levels, communities of concern, liability and claims, proximity to schools and parks, and crime rates.

In April of this year, Mayor Gloria also announced $3.5 million in federal funding had been secured to repair streetlights in the communities of Pacific Beach and Logan Heights.

(City of San Diego Release) n

Anne open to...

the pandemic.

Reymark was rushed to the hospital in November 2021 for an appendectomy. Due to lack of funds, Raymond began selling some charcoal paintings of famous celebrities, including Anne, online. One fan who saw the portrait online, called the attention of Anne who, in turn, expressed willingness to buy the fan art. But Ronald said it was already sold for P1,000. Still eager to help, Anne offered to pay for the remaining balance of Reymark’s hospital bill, instead.

Anne is indeed beautiful inside and out. n

Photos courtesy of City of San Diego