080423 - San Francisco 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

leaders condemn China’s actions in West Philippine Sea

unanimously adopted on tuesday, August 1 a resolution condemning China’s continued harassment of filipino

fishermen and its persistent incursions in the West Philippine sea. the resolution, which expresses the sentiment of the upper chamber but is non-binding, also urged the Philippine government “to take appropriate action in asserting and securing” the country’s sovereign

PH gov’t tags Teves, 12 others as terrorists

by GaEa KatrEEna cabico Philstar.com

mANILA — the Anti-terrorism Council has designated rep. Arnolfo teves (Negros oriental)—the alleged mastermind in the assassination of governor roel Degamo—as a terrorist.

the move allows the Anti-money Laundering Council to investigate and freeze the financial assets and properties of teves— who is believed to be overseas—and members of his alleged armed group. the AtC resolution, which was approved on July 26 but was only released tuesday, August 1, named the suspended lawmaker the leader of the “teves terrorist Group” and

also tagged as terrorists his brother, Pryde henry, alleged bagman marvin miranda, and the following:

• Rogelio Antipolo

• Rommel Pattaguan

• Winrich Isturis

• John Louie Gonyon

• Dahniel Lora

• Eulogio Gonyon Jr.

• Tomasino Aledro

• Nigel Electona

• Jomarie Catubay

• Hannah Mae Sumero Onay.

Various groups have raised concerns about the potential abuses of the Anti-terrorism Act, saying the law is being used to persecute

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

by Mary VillEGas Inquirer.net

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 World Cup door for the team when they

rights, and “to call on China to stop its illegal activities.”

the Philippines and other nations have repeatedly criticized Beijing’s aggressive actions in the resource-rich waterway, including the harassment

House panel approves bill on internet voting for OFWs

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 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,

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

Sarina Bolden at FIFA Women’s World Cup Photo from B/R Football Twitter

This file photo taken in 2020 shows then-President Rodrigo Duterte with then-Taguig-Pateros Rep. Alan Peter Cayetano. Inquirer.net photo

PH leaders condemn China’s...

of Philippine vessels by Chinese coast guard, navy and maritime militias, and the construction of artificial islands.

“this bipartisan effort tells the filipino people that when it comes to matters of national sovereignty, we will never be bullied into submission,” said sen. risa hontiveros, one of the senators who filed the resolution. the fight against China’s reckless behavior in the West Philippine sea does not end here,” she added.

An earlier senate resolution filed by hontiveros called on the government to raise Beijing’s acts before the United Nations General Assembly. senators held a closeddoor meeting on monday, July 31 with security officials and foreign Affairs chief enrique manalo to discuss the upper chamber’s stand on hontiveros’ resolution. senate President Juan miguel Zubiri stressed that hontiveros’

resolution was not “watered down.”

“What happened here was we strengthened the position of the government. Now, we gave them several options to choose on how to deal with our neighbors in the north,” he said. the resolution urged the Department of foreign Affairs

to bring international attention to China’s harassment of filipino fishers and its continued violation of the hague ruling, utilize international fora to rally multilateral support for the enforcement of the landmark decision and raise awareness on the situation in the West Philippine sea, and engage “likeminded” countries to call on Beijing to respect the ruling. the resolution also called on the DfA to file a resolution before the UNGA, to call for the cessation of activities that harass Philippine vessels and violate the country’s established rights in the West Philippine sea, and pursue other diplomatic modes that it may deem appropriate and necessary. the 2016 award of the Permanent Court of Arbitration invalidated Beijing’s expansive maritime claims in the south China sea, including areas that the Philippines refer to as the West Philippine sea. China does not recognize the decision. n

PH gov’t tags Teves, 12 others as...

political opponents and to suppress dissent. more than 35 groups questioned its constitutionality before the supreme Court, but the tribunal left the law virtually untouched in the end. the government told the court during debates that there were safeguards against abuse of the law and that designated persons would have recourse to question their being tagged as terrorists. ferdinand topacio, teves’ lead counsel, said in a statement that the government “has expectedly weaponized the Anti-terror Act by using it for the purpose for which it was not designed.”

Killings, harassment in Negros

Oriental

the AtC alleged that teves and his armed group violated the Anti-terrorism Act, particularly the law’s section 4 for committing terrorism, section 6 for planning, training, preparing and facilitating the commission of terrorism, section 10 for recruitment to and membership in a terrorist organization, and section 12 for providing material support to terrorists.

teves and his lawyers had questioned the basis of the move to tag him as a terrorist, but Justice chief Jesus Crispin remulla had

said that he can be designated due to the brazenness of the crime that can “terrorize” others.

the 10-page resolution mentioned the “several killings or harassments” in Negros oriental, including the march 4 bloodbath that killed Degamo and nine others.

teves denied any involvement in the killing of Degamo.

the council said that such acts showed “an unmistakeable pattern of a rather organized and orchestrated action” and were “meticulously and deliberately planned and executed for the purpose of intimidating the residents of Negros oriental as well as to create an atmosphere or spread a message of fear.”

these acts are also designed to influence by intimidation the local population and government of Negros oriental to seriously undermine public safety and to ensure that Cong. teves Jr. and his group could continue and expand their reign of terror in the guise of political leadership,” the AtC said.

‘Independent proceeding’

In a briefing tuesday, the DoJ stressed that the designation of teves as a terrorist is an independent proceeding from the preliminary investigation into the multiple murder complaints filed against him. the lawmaker earlier

asked the DoJ to dismiss the murder complaints, which have been submitted for resolution.

“Preliminary investigation is a prelude to the criminal action of the court if there’s an indictment. Designation can come first, or it can come after,” Justice Undersecretary Nicholas felix ty said.

“Under the procedure laid down by law and by its implementing rules and guidelines, we’re not required to hear from respondents. that’s not the case with preliminary investigations where respondents have a right to be heard,” he added.

the DoJ declined to disclose the government’s next steps following the designation of teves and his alleged armed group. teves, citing fears for his life, refuses to return to the Philippines. so far, no warrant of arrest has been issued against him. the AtC also designated two individuals affiliated with the maute group as terrorists. the designation of the maute group and the teves terrorist group is a significant stride toward addressing the proliferation and emergence of private armed groups within the nation,” DoJ spokesperson mico Clavano said. n

Sen. Risa Hontiveros Philstar.com file photo

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 (suhvaht) 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 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

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White House seeks greater investment in...

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

Filipinas’ World Cup dream cut short...

PAGE 1

faced formidable opponents and hometown favorites New Zealand.

hardest. there’s gonna be downs, but if you truly want to achieve your dream, go for it.”

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.

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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

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 the team for representing the Philippines on the world stage.

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! n

Asian Americans face lower cardiac arrest...

PAGE 1

are eight percent less likely to survive a heart attack and have a fifteen percent lower 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.

“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)

RAINY PALARO OPENING. Athletes wearing raincoats join the parade for the opening of the 2023 Palarong Pambansa at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City on Monday, July 31. Amid the inclement weather due to Typhoon Falcon and the southwest monsoon, the prestigious annual interregional school sports meet returned after three years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

House panel approves bill on internet...

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

Ex-President Duterte fit to be special envoy...

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 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 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 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

White House seeks greater investment in...

Data from the CDC found that suicide was the leading cause of death of 10- to 24-year-old 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 antiAsian 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

Fil-Am teen wins lone gold for US...

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, twothirds of these students identified at least one mental health condition that they’re managing. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

start with colorless gloves. Logan prefers black but wears 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 recordholder 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

PAGE 3 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,

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. looks on as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen signs the guestbook at Malacañang Palace on Monday, July 31. PNA photo by Rey Baniquet

Logan delivers a high kick, a signature savate move.

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

Cory Aquino remembered on her 14th death anniversary

her fourth child Viel Aquino-Dee were present at her burial place at the manila memorial Park, Parañaque City. her husband, former senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., and her son, former president Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino III are buried next to each other in Cory's tomb. former actress Kris Aquino, Cory and Ninoy's youngest child, was not present during the gathering as she currently stays in California for medical

treatments.

those in attendance during the memorial ceremony placed yellow flowers at Cory's tomb's columns in honor of the 11th Philippine president.

Prior to serving as the first female Philippine president, Cory played a significant role in the 1986 People Power revolution that led to the overthrow of ferdinand marcos sr. to leadership. on Aug. 1, 2009, Cory passed away due to colon cancer. (Philstar.com)

MIAA can’t use P1.2 billion airport terminal fees

mANILA — the manila International Airport Authority (mIAA) cannot “unilaterally” use P1.2 billion in unrefunded terminal fees to finance the procurement of major equipment at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the money must be refunded to passengers who missed their flights, the Department of Justice (DoJ) said.

Justice secretary Jesus Crispin remulla, in responding to a request for guidance by mIAA general manager Cesar Chiong, said the unrefunded Passenger

service Charges (PsCs), which are included in the airline ticket, are considered trust funds and thus subject to auditing laws. this means that instead of seeking a legal opinion from the DoJ, the mIAA should seek the approval of the Department of Budget and management and the Commission on Audit, remulla said.

Based on mIAA’s records as of march, the total PsCs on unused tickets have reached P1.2 billion, with only P26,000 being claimed for refund.

Passengers may still claim their refunds since claims have no expiry date. n

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla Philstar.com file photo

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

Editorial

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

ManilaTimes.net photo 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

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

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

Just Thinking

The heat is on; when it rains, it pours

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

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)

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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 façade

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 wellcrafted 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 communitybased 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 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)

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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

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Malacañang photo

Dateline PhiliPPineS

PH, EU to forge stronger ties

mANILA – the Philippines and the european Commission on monday, July 31 committed to strengthen bilateral relations by expanding trade and enhancing cooperation on climate change, maritime security and green economy.

this was announced by President ferdinand r marcos Jr. and eU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in a joint press statement following a bilateral meeting at the malacañan Palace.

“During our meeting, we discussed the economic relations with particular focus on revitalizing trade between our two regions,” marcos said in his speech during the official visit of Von der Leyen.

marcos said he welcomed the conduct this year of the scoping exercises between the european Commission and the Philippines towards negotiations for a Philippines-eU free trade Agreement (ftA).

on development cooperation, we committed to conclude an agreement on the Green economy Program in the Philippines, a grant worth 60 million euros, which aims to support the Philippines in areas such as circular economy, renewable energy, and climate change mitigation,” he said.

the president also

acknowledged the eU’s strong support for the Bangsamoro Peace Process as well as the development of the Philippines in terms of the rule of law and justice, agriculture, space cooperation and disaster management.

marcos likewise thanked the eU Commission “for their dedication to extend the recognition of the standards of training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for seafarers certificates issued by the Philippines".

he said this has a positive impact on the employment of more than 50,000 filipino seafarers working onboard eUflagged vessels.

“As I mentioned to madame President von der Leyen, the Philippines and the eU are likeminded partners through our shared values of democracy, sustainable and inclusive prosperity, the rule of law, peace and stability, and human rights,” marcos said.

Von der Leyen for her part said the Philippines and eU decided to relaunched negotiations for free trade agreement.

our teams will get to work right now on setting the right conditions, so that we can get back to the negotiations. A free trade agreement has huge potential for both of us in terms

Jordan Clarkson won’t be with Gilas in China tournament

of growth and in terms of jobs," she said.

the eU is currently the country's fourth largest trading partner.

ftA can be a springboard for a new technology cooperation to modernize the broader economy," she said.

Aside from these, von der Leyen said the eU will launch this year a digital economy package for the Philippines.

"We will work together on faster reliable connectivity with submarine cables on cybersecurity training and on deployment and development of 5G," she said.

she also expressed eU's interest in developing the Philippine mining industry.

"Let us start by identifying projects that we want to develop in your local mining industry, supporting your communities and that contributes to a secure global supply of critical raw materials," von der Leyen said. In terms of maritime security, she said the eU is ready to strengthen cooperation by sharing information, conducting threat assessment and building the capacity of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Von der Leyen’s visit is the first of a european Commission president in the nearly 60 years of diplomatic ties between the Philippines and the eU. (PNA)

Court summons witnesses in De Lima’s last drug case

mANILA – the muntinlupa regional trial Court (rtC) Branch 206 has ordered three witnesses in the remaining drug case against former senator Leila De Lima to testify in court when hearings resume in september and october.

the court issued the order after the prosecutors requested for the issuance of a subpoena to former policemen froilan trestiza and rodolfo magleo, and gang leader Jaime Patcho, who were recently transferred from the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to the sablayan Penal Colony.

Presiding Judge Gener Gito scheduled the three to testify on sept. 11, 18, 25 and oct. 16.

In a notice, all parties were advised to attend the hearing online through videoconference.

the case involves allegations that De Lima tolerated widespread illegal drug trade in the Bilibid while she was the Department of Justice secretary.

During the hearing on tuesday, August 1, the court also advised the parties that the motion for reconsideration on the denial of temporary liberty for De Lima remained pending but did not mention when a resolution would be issued.

magleo, a former police chief inspector convicted in 2004 for kidnapping, and trestiza, a former police officer 1 also convicted for kidnapping for ransom in 2007, earlier told investigators how the late prison

leader Jaybee sebastian regularly enjoyed privileges and had direct contact with De Lima. sebastian died in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Patcho, a prison gang leader, also told investigators that sebastian advised them to assist him in coming up with funds to bankroll De Lima's senatorial campaign. the muntinlupa rtC Branch 204 earlier denied a motion for reconsideration filed by government prosecutors requesting the lower court to take a second look at its decision to acquit the former senator in one of her three drug charges.

Judge Abraham Alcantara denied for lack of merit the government's motion to reconsider the decision dated may 12 acquitting De Lima and co-accused ronnie Dayan. the prosecutors had earlier asked Alcantara to recuse himself from handling the last remaining case against De Lima after it was re-raffled to his court following the inhibition of the previous judge, Branch 256 Judge romeo Buenaventura.

they cast doubts on Alcantara’s impartiality after acquitting De Lima in a separate drug case. Buenaventura, who turned down De Lima’s bail plea, voluntary inhibited himself upon the motion of the former lawmaker’s camp. (PNA)

mANILA -- Gilas Pilipinas will also miss NBA star Jordan Clarkson when it takes on senegal and Iran twice in a pocket tournament in China, this week.

National coach Chot reyes bared the development on tuesday, August 1 just before the contingent— already thinned by the absences of 7-foot-3 big man Kai sotto and do-it-all playmaker scottie thompson— departed for heyuan City in Guangdong province.

“We thought he’s arriving Aug. 6 but it turns out he’s leaving (Los Angeles) Aug. 6, so he should be arriving Aug. 8. he won’t play in China,” national coach Chot reyes told reporters rather tersely.

reyes said last weekend that the Gilas management was not sure whether the Aug. 6 date set meant Clarkson’s departure from the United states or his arrival in China. still, the concurrent program director is optimistic, stressing Clarkson’s familiarity with Gilas.

“Jordan knows what we’re doing. It’s not like he’s coming in blind or coming in for the first time. he’s an NBA player, a professional. Yes, there will be a lot of adjustment that needs to be done, a lot of familiarity [he ought to cover] but he’s not coming in blind.”

Clarkson has been chosen by the national federation as Gilas’ naturalized player for the Aug. 25 showcase, bumping off the beloved Justin Brownlee who has been practicing with the talent pool for weeks. sotto opted out of the short meet citing a back problem he sustained during his NBA summer League stint. thompson, meanwhile, has been healing his fractured hand and is projected to be cleared Aug. 18, according to his coach at Ginebra

and reyes’ Gilas deputy and close pal tim Cone. Gilas was to play Iran first at heyuan sport Gymnasium on thursday (August 3) night, and then senegal on friday (August 4) at Jiangman en Ping sports Gymnasium. the Philippines go for another crack at the Africans and their old Asian tormentors on sunday (August 6) and monday (August 7), respectively.

A pair of friendlies against montenegro and mexico have been lined up for the Nationals, who are playing Italy, the Dominican republic and Angola in the group phase of the quadrennial meet offering a pathway into the Paris summer olympics set next year. (inquirer.net)

Jordan Clarkson Photo from Instagram/@jordan clarksons

ALL-FILIPINO CAST MAKES BROADWAY HISTORY

‘Here Lies Love’ stirs emotions, controversy

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

INa groundbreaking and historic feat, Broadway is witnessing the rise of “Here Lies Love,” an immersive theater spectacle that boldly shatters boundaries with an allFilipino cast. With each captivating performance, this musical delves into the complex story of Imelda Marcos, the former First Lady of the Philippines, and the tumultuous events surrounding the 1986 People Power Revolution.

from its powerful portrayals to its innovative immersive format, “here Lies Love” is not just another Broadway production; it is a trailblazer that proudly embraces filipino talent and history, making waves and etching its name in the annals of theater history. With its innovative approach to immersive theater, the show transports spectators into the glitzy world of the 1980s, bringing them face-to-face with historical figures and heart-pounding moments. Led by a stellar all-filipino cast, including the legendary Lea salonga, this production has become a milestone in filipino representation on Broadway and a celebration of a rich cultural heritage.

the show stands as a daring and innovative musical, drawing inspiration from the controversial life of Imelda marcos, the wife of former Philippine dictator ferdinand marcos. While the show possesses moments of brilliance and creativity, it also grapples with a few shortcomings that hinder its overall impact.

David Byrne, the mastermind behind “here Lies Love,” rightfully marvels at the show’s continued relevance nearly a decade after its off-Broadway premiere.

“I had no idea that the politics would be so relevant not just in the Philippines, but all around the world, including this country,” he told AP.

With music by Grammy, oscar, and tony Award-winning artists Byrne and fatboy slim, this immersive production invites the audience to become part of the show’s captivating narrative.

Under the direction of tony Award winner Alex timbers and featuring choreography by olivier Award nominee Annie-B

Parson, “here Lies Love” transforms the Broadway theatre into a vibrant dance club where the story of Imelda marcos unfolds.

the audience is given a range of standing and seating options that allow them to experience the performance from various perspectives, from the dance floor to elevated seating areas. the production’s immersive concept, which envelops the audience in the world of the marcos regime, is a commendable attempt at engaging theater-goers uniquely and dynamically.

Props to set designer David Korins who transformed the orchestra of the Broadway theater into a discotheque complete with ledges and a giant 42-inch mirror ball. the use of satellite stages, a 360-degree lighting design, and video screens add an interactive dimension that captivates the audience and fosters a sense of connection to the characters’ lives. however, the musical’s bold take on some of the crucial historical events, while compelling,

blurs the lines between fact and fiction. this has left some viewers questioning the accuracy of the purported romantic relationship between Benigno Aquino and Imelda romualdez as graphics on the screen showed “Imelda’s boyfriend” when Aquino’s character was introduced. this creative license can be divisive, as some audience members may prefer a more historically accurate portrayal, while others appreciate the artistic interpretation.

the cast’s performances are nothing short of extraordinary.

Lea salonga’s portrayal of Aurora Aquino, the mother of opposition leader Ninoy Aquino, is nothing short of sublime and an absolute show-stopper. her remarkable vocal prowess and emotive delivery breathe life into the character, leaving a lasting impact on the audience. salonga’s talent shines brightly, and her presence on stage is truly a high point of the production.

on the evening we watched, the audience exploded the moment salonga emerged onstage. Kudos to the lighting director (and the moving stage) for creating an appropriately haunting and moving atmosphere.

Although her one-month stint in the production is set to conclude on August 13, the producers have hinted at even more surprises in store, including the possibility of enlisting other eminent stars from the Philippines to offer their unique interpretations of the poignant ballad, “Just Ask the flowers,” performed by the character Dona Aurora Aquino at her son’s funeral.

Among the many unforgettable moments in the show, one particular scene stands out, signaling the start of the marcoses’ fall from power. As Arielle Jacobs retakes the spotlight, belting out “Why Don’t You Love me” from the elevated mezzanine level, the rest of the cast led by salonga gathers below, flashing the iconic Laban sign—a powerful visual representation of resistance and unity.

this back-to-back juxtaposition of performances amplifies the impact of the narrative and further solidifies the show’s immersive nature, delivering a powerful one-two punch.

Jacobs, in the role of Imelda marcos, definitely gives her all, leaving a lasting impact with her powerful vocals and emotional delivery. the start of the musical traced Imelda’s humble beginnings as a barrio lass who slowly evolved into a resolute and formidable figure – a steel butterfly if you will, as the show progressed. she was captivating in both.

her crisp delivery of “Put*ng ina mo!” while degrading her husband’s genital size made filipinos in the house roar as she sang “It takes a woman to do a man’s job” when she found out about his affair with American

actress Dovie Beams.

the performances by Conrad ricamora, Jose Llana, and melody Butiu, who are part of the original cast at the Public theater from a decade ago, showcase growth and maturity in their nuanced performances. ricamora and Butiu reprised these roles at the seattle repertory in 2017, with filipino singer mark Bautista stepping in as ferdinand.

having had the privilege of witnessing their earlier portrayals, I didn’t think they could top their performances back then. however, the passage of time and the wealth of experiences gathered over the last decade seem to have breathed new life into their characters, rendering them more vivid and compelling than ever before.

Llana’s depiction of his role exuded a newfound sternness and a palpable sense of menace, particularly evident in the first half of the production. As the ailing despot, he masterfully embodied the essence of a once-powerful figure whose prime years have now waned. his rendition of “Perfect hand” hit all the right notes, resonating with precision and conviction.

ricamora, on the other hand, delivered a bouncy rendition of “Child of the Philippines,” pouring his soul into the fast-paced number. Despite its rapid tempo, his emotive performance left a lasting impact.

the costumes, designed by tony Award-winner Clint ramos, are a visual feast.

the lavish and intricate outfits, especially those worn by Imelda marcos, successfully transport the audience to the glamour and opulence of the era. ramos’ attention to detail is praiseworthy, and his contribution significantly enhances the overall visual appeal of the musical as he masterfully showcased the former first Lady’s glamorous terno dresses and humble dasters from her early days in tacloban.

the dichotomy between ferdinand marcos and Ninoy Aquino is subtly portrayed through their distinct costumes, with the dictator dressed in black and the opposition senator garbed in white. the show’s immersive nature means the audience members are always in the thick of the action, as they witness the drama unfold around them. Whether seated ring-side, in the front or rear mezzanine, or dancing among the 300 people on the main level, every spectator is engaged and becomes part of the story. And this is where experiencing fomo comes in.

Audience members find themselves torn between the excitement of the dancefloor and the curiosity about the view from the mezzanine. those dancing on the main level can’t help but wonder if they are missing out on a different perspective,

while those watching from the mezzanine can’t help but envy the infectious energy and fun happening on the dancefloor. the show’s unique format leaves viewers pondering which vantage point offers the bigger picture of this groundbreaking production.

Before the resident DJ moises Villarama sang “God Draws straight” with the rest of the cast, he talked briefly about history repeating itself, telling the audience that ferdinand marcos, Jr. was elected as the president last year. there were scattered boos and hisses in the theater and it was broken by a solitary scream of a woman who said, “he’s my president!”

As the applause continues to echo in the theater, “here Lies Love” stands as a powerful testament to the talent, passion, and creativity of its cast and creators.

however, amidst the praise and accolades, a heated debate ensues about the show’s portrayal of Imelda marcos and the controversial history of the marcos dictatorship.

In a CBs interview, elaine Quijano asked, “some people think that in 2023, there should not be this kind of show devoted to a figure Imelda marcos, what’s your response to that?’

oh goodness, gracious. It’s great for audiences to look at it and learn from it because it’s still happening in other parts of the world. our offering is, it’s happened to us but this is what happened in the end. Basically, it’s a story about how a people regained the power for themselves and it’s kind of an inspirational thing to think about if you look at it that way,” salonga replied.

some critics argue that the production may unintentionally glorify Imelda and romanticize the heinous acts committed during their oppressive rule.

they claim that the show, created by a white man, offers a sanitized version of the dictatorship’s history, attempting to humanize a figure known for corruption and violence.

these critics question whether the show trivializes the crimes committed by the marcoses and overlooks the suffering they inflicted upon countless filipinos. they worry that the artistic interpretation may inadvertently erase the painful realities endured by the victims of the regime. It raises the question of whether the pursuit of art and entertainment should come at the expense of historical accuracy and sensitivity. on the other hand, the pro-

ducers firmly assert that “here Lies Love” is far from glorifying the marcoses; instead, they argue that the show takes a firm stance against their actions and serves as a reminder of the dark chapter in Philippine history. they contend that the immersive experience allows audiences to connect emotionally with the narrative, evoking empathy and understanding of the consequences of dictatorship. the show has added an insert to the Playbill showing a historical overview from the time the United states colonized the Philippines in 1898 to the People Power revolution in 1986 when the marcoses were airlifted out of the country by U.s marines. As the controversy rages on, the show continues to make waves, breaking boundaries with its all-filipino cast and confronting the complexities of history head-on. the production’s impact is undeniable, sparking essential conversations about the intersection of art, history, and the responsibility of storytelling.

Ultimately, we believe it is up to each audience member to grapple with the layers of meaning in the show and draw their conclusions. As theatergoers leave the performance, they carry with them not only a powerful theatrical experience but also profound questions about the portrayal of history on stage.

the ongoing debate surrounding its portrayal of Imelda and the dark era of the marcos dictatorship highlights the significance of presenting history responsibly while delving into the complexities of human nature.

“here Lies Love” is doing its part, serving as a poignant reminder that theater has the unique capacity to ignite conversations, challenge perceptions, and keep the collective memory of a nation alive. As the curtains fall on this groundbreaking production, its echoes will linger, urging us all to confront the past and reflect on the present.

It is an audacious and imaginative musical that fearlessly delves into the controversial life of Imelda marcos. Its immersive concept and innovative staging elevate the theatrical experience, allowing the audience to be part of the historical narrative.

salonga’s exceptional performance, along with the stunning costume design, contribute to the musical’s high points making the show a commendable and bold effort to bring an important chapter of Philippine history to the Broadway stage.

Conrad Ricamora (Ninoy Aquino) and Arielle Jacobs (Imelda Marcos)

Photos by Billy Bustamante, Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman (2023)

Moses Villarama (DJ), Melody Butiu (Estrella Cumpas), Arielle Jacobs and Conrad Ricamora round up the first-ever all-Filipino cast on Broadway.

From the top: Lea Salonga (Aurora Aquino), Jose Llana (Ferdinand Marcos), Arielle Jacobs (Imelda Marcos) and the cast of Here Lies Love

Lifetime ban for admitting drug use lifted, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy

roNALD was petitioned as Joyce’s fiancé in 2006. While the K-1 petition was approved, his visa was denied after ronald admitted to the doctors at st. Luke’s that he tried drugs many years ago.

Because of that admission, he was banned for life.

In 2008, Joyce and ronald got married, hoping that this would get a positive result. however, the same policy was still in place,

and his visa was again refused. fortunately, in 2011, leading U.s. Immigration Attorney michael J. Gurfinkel was able to convince the U.s embassy in manila to reverse their policy of a lifetime ban if the only “evidence” was the person admitting drug use to st. Luke’s doctors. In 2015, Joyce consulted again with Atty. Gurfinkel, and he was able to clear ronald’s name, and the visa was issued. finally, ron-

ald and Joyce were able to spend their first Christmas in the U.s as a married couple. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on sunday, August 6 at 6:30 Pm Pt (9:30 Pm et) through select Cable/satellite providers, right after tV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWanttfC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

State Treasurer Fiona Ma announces new $50M grant program for specialty dental clinics

sACrAmeNto – state treasurer fiona ma on thursday, July 27 announced the approval of guidelines for a new $50 million grant program for specialty dental clinics to expand healthcare access to California’s special healthcare needs populations. the California health facilities financing Authority, chaired by ma as state treasurer, is expected to begin taking applications later this fall. specialty dental clinics often fill a critical gap in providing healthcare to special needs populations,” said treasurer ma. “this program will help increase access to dental and other healthcare services and ensure that vulnerable populations don’t have to forgo the care they need or wait unreasonable long periods of time to get it.” the guidelines approved on thursday for the specialty Dental Clinic Grant Program include a listing of eligible applicant types and how funds may be spent, the grant application and evaluation criteria, the scoring and appeals process, relevant dates and deadlines, and additional information. the dental grant program was enabled through an initial allocation of $25 million in the 2022-23 Budget Act. Another $25 million was allocated in this year’s budget, bringing the total allocation to $50 million. All funds must be disbursed by June 30, 2030. regional maximums were also established for the first funding round to ensure equitable distribution of funds:

• San Joaquin Region:

$7,300,000

• Superior Region: $7,650,000

• Bay Area/Central Coast Re-

gion: $9,350,000

• Southern Region: $12,410,000

• Los Angeles Region: $10,790,000.

In developing the program guidelines approved thursday, ChffA staff worked with the California Dental Association foundation, and consulted multiple stakeholder groups, including the California Department of Developmental services, California Association of Nurse Anesthetists, and the California Dental hygienists’ Association.

ChffA also on thursday approved a $1.8 million low-interest rate loan for transitions –mental health Association in san Luis obispo. transitions helps adults and youth struggling with

mental health issues by offering housing, employment, community, and family support services. they will use the loan proceeds to purchase a larger residential property with space for staff offices, private therapy sessions, and recreational activities for its clients.

ChffA was established in 1979 to provide financial assistance to public and private non-profit healthcare providers in California. the diverse nature of the facilities funded by ChffA reflects the changing health care needs of California. from rural, community-based organizations, to large, multi-hospital systems, ChffA has financed a wide variety of providers and programs through the issuance of bonds, loans, and grants.

(cA State Treasurer’s office release)

A DAY before she turns 54, Alice Dixson shared a fitness video to achieve a fit and healthy body.

Dixson showed her calisthenics workout via a short Instagram video. “raw footage of my first 30 days of my new self-care routine as I’m turning 54,” she said in her caption.

"Why??? I noticed a lot of changes in my body in the past two years. Not good; feeling weak, frequent injuries, weight gain, feeling low especially on energy, endurance and mood,” she explained.

While still of the belief that focusing on family is wonderful and “every minute is priceless,” Dixson said that “it’s also a lot when you don’t pay attention to your needs.”

With this, she finally implemented some changes last month with “a self care routine

which included mindful eating and strength training.”

“Absolutely No to fad diets, and Yessss to lifting weights to gain muscle,” she emphasized.

Dixson said she posted her video “to inspire myself to keep going,” as well as her followers.

“It’s only been 30 days and not a lot has changed aesthetically except for a trimmer waist… Ironically di ako nagpapapayat but I lost 3 lbs while building muscle. Kasi I feel stronger and I’m starting to look good again in fitted clothes – without let’s stress that – WIthoUt DIet,” she said, adding that all she needed was “time, intention, and self discipline.”

During the recent GmA Gala, Dixson was seen in a tight-fitting long gown with a high slit and hugging her body in all the right places, which only showed that her efforts were indeed paying off.

sINCe man roamed the earth, vegetables have been hailed as a great health food. And even before modern science came out with the medical data proving their value, parents, especially mothers, around the world, from different cultures and traditions, had already been encouraging their children to eat vegetables, especially, broccoli, kale, spinach, garlic, and the multi-colored leafy veggies.

In this new era of health-consciousness, vegetables have once again been thrust to the center stage, under the spotlight, not only as a great food item, but one that has remarkable medical powers that bolster the immune system and prevent diseases, including cancers. the researchers postulated that vegetables contain antioxidants that help the body repair the damages in the DNA caused by oxidative stress, which is one of the risk factors for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma. And eating vegetables at least 3 times a day, if combined with a healthy lifestyle that includes daily physical exercise, confers an even a greater degree of immuno-protection. the antioxidants in vegetables also help neutralize the free radicals produced during exercise.

Di-indolylmethane (DIm) is a natural compound found in vegetables (like broccoli, cabbage, turnips and mustard greens), which has not only been associated with cancer prevention, but, more amazingly, with the potential ability to treat cancer. obviously more extensive laboratory studies and, later, clinical application in humans, are needed to validate this research observation.

While eating a lot of vegetables every day could protect us from diseases, including cancer, eating red meat and processed foods re-

Anti-cancer: Vegetables

duces the benefits conferred by the vegetables we eat. Besides being loaded with saturated fats and cholesterol, red meat and processed foods have also been implicated in the increased risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and cancer. fruits, especially berries, fiber, and nuts, also help in reducing our risk for cancer, and other major diseases. Physical exercise plays a major role in the prevention of cardiovascular/metabolic diseases, Alzheimer’s, and various cancers.

man has always been searching for the formula for optimal health and longevity. the market is full of non-prescription herbal or “food supplement” pills, potions, and lotions, each claiming to be effective against a host of medical conditions, as preventive or as a “cure.” Not only are these items not approved by government sentinel agencies like the U.s.-fDA and the BfAD, but they are cost prohibitive, ineffective, and potentially dangerous. the manufacturing companies concerned hide behind the legal technicality by marketing their products, Not as drugs, but as herbals or “food supplements” to escape the stringent requirements, although their infomercials state that their “health” products “are effective for” a variety of medical illnesses. If they have pharmacologic (chemical) effects, then they should be considered as drugs, and be subject to the rigorous testing and clinical studies required for drugs, prior to their approval and acceptance as safe and effective for public consumption. It is rather most unfortunate that the government appears to be simply powerless in dealing with the perpetrator companies and dealers and their unsubstantiated claims and deceptive practices, who are bilking the unsuspecting and ignorant victims of their hardearned money.

Disease-inducing personal bad habits and unhealthy lifestyle include smoking, high-cholesterol,

high fat, high-carbohydrate diet, inactivity (lack of physical exercise), alcohol abuse, and poor stress management. these factors, which are really within our control, are responsible for about 75% of all diseases afflicting man. Indeed, only 25% of these illnesses we have today are beyond our control. most of our health problems are self-inflicted and self-induced, and therefore, preventable to a large extent. medical literature is replete with clinical outcomes that justify this caveat: eating vegetables prevent diseases while regular consumption of red meat and processed foods is associated with increased risk of debilitating and deadly illnesses, including cancer. Need we say more?

Isn’t it time to start loving our body and be proactive in protecting it to maximize our health and longevity?

* * *

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

* * *

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

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

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.

PH CONSULATE JOINS SCREENING OF FIRST-EVER SUMMER MMFF BEST PICTURE “ABOUT US BUT NOT ABOUT US” AT FRAMELINE FILMFEST.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, represented by Vice Consul Adrian Baccay, attended the North America premiere of the Filipino psychological and queer film “About Us But Not About Us” at the 47th Frameline Film Festival, in front of a full-house crowd at Roxie Theater in San Francisco on 20 June 2023. “About Us But Not About Us,” which stars Filipino actors Romnick Sarmenta and Elijah Canlas, won the Best Picture award at the first-ever Summer Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in April 2023. Producers

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

Alden Richards, popular singer-actor-host. 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 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.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES SERVICES

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.

Sky River Casino welcomes renowned Bay Area restaurant Dragon Beaux

Famed dim sum destination has officially opened to provide authentic Chinese cuisine

sKY river Casino welcomes the highly-anticipated, renowned Bay area restaurant, “Dragon Beaux,” which has officially opened, providing casino guests with authentic Chinese cuisine, Guangdong dim sum and special hot pot. Willy Ng, a highly acclaimed restauranteur nominated by James Beard and president of the Palette Group, has partnered with sky river to bring the famed dim sum destination to elk Grove, a new hot spot for gourmet food with family and friends.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to officially open the doors of the best, authentic dim sum of the Bay Area right here at sky river,” said sky river Casino’s President and Chief operating officer Chris Gibase. “Dragon Beaux is a delicious addition to our wide selection of cuisine and we’ve been eager to finally welcome guests inside.”

the intricate decor and interior design in Dragon Beaux provide an excellent ambience for dining. Various exquisite tea sets line the restaurant wall cabinets to make it a hotspot for a selfie.

Dragon Beaux provides a variety of famous tea, mouth-watering Guangdong dim sum, special hot pot, and a variety of stir-fried dishes, all to satisfy your taste buds. there is a bar in the restaurant as well, so friends can have a few rounds before their meal.

It is worth mentioning that Dragon Beaux is the first hot pot restaurant nestled in a Northern California casino. In addition, Koi Palace express in the market at sky river also provides a fast casual dining experience with delicious selections of Chinese dim sum.

Willy Ng, president of the Palette Group, brings many classic dishes from Dragon Beaux in the Bay Area to sky river, which are not normally served at other competitor casinos. the well-known five Guys Xiao Long Bao, specialty Peking Duck, featured Dragon Beaux hot Pot, egg White fried rice with Dry scallop and sautéed Chilean sea Bass all are mouth-watering dishes.

“We’re excited to welcome sky river guests to our new space and have the opportunity to share our

delicious cuisine with the greater sacramento area,” said Willy. our nostalgic yet modern approach to dim sum is perfect for big groups or visitors seeking a flavorful dining experience.”

“Dragon Beaux” is open on saturday and sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., monday, tuesday and friday from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., and closed on Wednesday and thursday. for more information and reservation, please check out skyriver.com/dining-and-drinks/dragonbeaux to preview the menu and reserve a table through the opentable reservation system.

sky river rewards is one of the most hi-tech rewards programs among casinos in Northern California, allowing guests cardless play, cashless wallet, and more. the sky river rewards card is your key to receiving points for all your activities and those points can be redeemed for free

PCGSF partners with SF Passport Agency and USCIS on document security training, immigration matters

sAN frANCIsCo – As part of ongoing efforts to improve its services to the public, the personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in san francisco attended a training on document security which was conducted by the U.s state Department’s san francisco Passport Agency, as well as a briefing by the U.s Citizenship and Immigration services on immigration-related matters, at the sentro rizal of the Philippine Center on July 7, 2023.

In her welcome remarks, Deputy Consul General and Acting head of Post raquel solano noted the importance of the training for the Consulate’s frontline personnel, who receive appli-

cations for passport, visa, dual citizenship, civil registry, and notarial services, with supporting documents issued by U.s authorities.

this document security training is important as it will enhance our capacity to detect fraudulent documents, and ensure the integrity not just of our consular processes but also the documents that we deal with from end-to-end, and at every stage of the process,” Acting head of Post solano said.

the Acting head of Post expressed her appreciation to the resource persons – sara Parham of the state Department’s san francisco Passport Agency, and Vilaysay Phavisith of Us-

CIs – for sharing their knowledge and expertise with the Consulate.

Parham briefed Consulate personnel on pertinent documents issued by the U.s state Department, including the U.s. Passport, Passport Card, and Consular report of Birth Abroad.

Phavisith provided an overview on U.s. immigration-related matters, and discussed relevant documents such as U.s Visas, Permanent resident Cards or the “Green Cards,” and Certificates of Naturalization and Citizenship. the Consulate endeavors to build the capacity of its personnel in order to continuously improve the provision of consular services to its clients.

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sky river Casino was built by the Wilton rancheria in partnership with Boyd Gaming Corporation, which is building and managing the property for the tribe. the casino opened in August 2022 and includes 100,000 sq ft of gaming, 2,100 slot machines, 80+ table games, and 17 bars and restaurants. to learn more, visit www.skyriver.com.

(*must be at least 21 years of age or older and a sky river rewards member. Visit sky river rewards Club for complete details. management reserves all rights. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAmBLer.)

(Advertising Supplement)

Personnel of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco participated in a training on document security as well as a briefing on immigration-related concerns at the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Center in San Francisco last July 7. In photo above are (foreground)

Deputy Consul General and Acting Head of Post Raquel Solano (4th from left), Sara Parham of the U.S. State Department’s San Francisco Passport Agency (3rd from left), Vilaysay Phavisith of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2nd from left), Consul Jed Llona (extreme left), and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay (extreme right), with consular staff. San Francisco PCG Photo

Left photo: Sara Parham of the U.S. State Department presents an overview of the U.S. Passport at the training on document security for consulate personnel; Right photo: Vilaysay Phasivith of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services presents an overview on U.S. immigration and documents at the briefing on immigration-related matters for consulate staff.