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AUGUST 5-11, 2022 Volume 15 - No.39 • 16 Pages

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DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

LA County to start administering Novavax COVID-19 vaccine LOS Angeles vaccination sites will start administering the Novavax vaccine beginning Wednesday, August 3.

The Novavax vaccine was recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) earlier this month.

Unlike the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, the Novavax vaccine was developed without the use of mRNA technology.

The vaccine was found to be 90% effective against mild, moderate, and severe disease in the company’s Phase 3 clinical trial involving 30,000 participants ages 18 and older.

Residents 18 years and older can get the

Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, LAS VEGAS, NORTHERN CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO

New York City declares state of emergency over monkeypox

by MOMAR

G. VISAYA

AJPress

NEW York City Mayor Eric Adams issued an emergency executive order on Monday, August 1 declaring a local state of emergency

due to the monkeypox outbreak.

As of August 3, NYC has over 1,500 reported cases across the five boroughs, approximately 25 percent of cases nationally, with numbers continuing to rise.

“As the monkeypox outbreak continues

to grow in New York City and across the country, I am today issuing an emergency executive order declaring a local state of emergency,” Adams said in a statement.

This emergency executive order allows

 PAGE 2

Former President Fidel V. Ramos

Inquirer.net file photo

Former President Fidel Ramos dies at 94

 PAGE 7

by ZACARIAN

SARAO

Inquirer.net

Jo Koy (middle) and film producer Dan Lim (extreme right) with officers of fundraiser recipient Search to Involve Pilipino Americans.

Photo courtesy of SIPA

GUN SALUTE. The military pays its last respects to the late former President Fidel V. Ramos through a gun salute at the Armed Forces of the Philippines headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo on Monday, August 1. Ramos, who also led the AFP and the Department of National Defense before he was elected president in 1992, died on July 31.

Inquirer.net photo

MANILA — Former President Fidel Valdez Ramos passed away at the age of 94 on Sunday, July 31.

The Ramos family confirmed the passing of the former president on Sunday night but gave no further details.

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Pulse Asia survey: Filipinos Jo Koy and friends Fil-Am group launches raise $75K for Fil-Am campaign vs anti-Asian hate trust the United States the nonprofit in Los Angeles most; China, Russia the least COMEDIAN Jo Koy and film producer Dan Lin raised $75,000 in donations for a Filipino American nonprofit in Los Angeles during the Rise for Comedy festival on Thursday, July 28 at Historic Filipinotown’s Rideback Ranch.

The recipient, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA), helps the growth of small businesses among low-income immigrant

 PAGE 4

A LOS Angelesbased Filipino American organization is raising awareness on anti-Asian hate through cultural programing and sharing stories of community members.

Pilipino Workers Center, which is located in Historic Filipinotown, launched the “Stop AAPI Hate” campaign and hosted a private in-

person concert for Filipino human trafficking survivors, victims of hate and racism, and community social justice advocates, featuring OPM artists, Noel Cabangon and Gab Cabangon.

The cultural event was held on July 27, 2022 at PWC’s headquarters in HiFi. Through the event, the

 PAGE 4

MANILA — Filipinos are generally more trustful towards the United States while strongly wary of China and Russia, new survey results released by Pulse Asia suggest.

The survey results released to the media Friday morning, July 29, found that the Filipinos felt a “fair amount of trust” should be afforded to the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan,

Indonesia, the United States, Germany and Australia.

Those countries made up seven out of the ten countries the survey asked respondents about. The remaining countries were India, Russia and China, for whom 48%, 62% and 67% of respondents said they had “not too much trust” or “no trust at

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Former President Fidel... More contagious, evasive ‘Centaurus’ in PH, says DOH PAGE 1 “The Ramos family is profoundly saddened to announce the passing of former President Fidel Valdez Ramos,” the family said in an official statement.

“We thank you all for respecting our privacy, as the family takes some time to grieve together,” the family added.

According to the Ramos family, wake and funeral arrangements for the former president will later be announced.

Meanwhile, Senator Bong Revilla also issued a statement confirming the death of Ramos, whom he said was the one who convinced him to get involved in public service through the Lakas–Christian Muslim Democrats, or Lakas–CMD, which he now serves as a co-chairperson.

Lakas–CMD is the political party founded by Ramos, together with Raul Manglapus.

“Hindi matatawaran ang naging pamana ni FVR sa bansa. Sa pamamagitan ng kanyang pamumuno ay umahon ang Pilipinas mula sa mga krisis na bumabalot sa bawat pilipino ng mga

panahong iyon,” said Revilla.

(FVR’s legacy to the country cannot be underestimated.

Through his leadership, the Philippines emerged from the crises that enveloped every Filipino at that time) According to Revilla, Ramos’ legacy is the “foundation upon which later administrations have built upon,”transforming the country from being “the sick man of Asia to the Tiger of the Region.”

“While the passing of our Chairman Emeritus is a great loss to our Party, it does not compare to the loss of our country. He was one of the best!” he added.

Ramos, who was known as “FVR” served as the 12th president of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998.

‘Matter of destiny’ Writing the foreword for the book “Behind the Red Pen” penned by his close aide, Jojo Terencio that was published in 2021, Ramos said he considered the presidency as both an honor and a privilege that served as a feather to his cap, which started with a career in the military.

Ramos, in the book’s foreword, added that the

presidency is a “matter of destiny.”

“I totally agree. A person can plan or aspire to become one all his or her life, but ultimately, the confluence of many things — people, the current political milieu, events, chance, and the candidates personality — will bring the presidency to the Anointed One. Destiny,” Ramos wrote in the foreword.

Ramos, in the foreword, also recalled that when he joined the 1992 presidential race, he was fully aware of his duty to give the people a “better quality of life by building on the grains of democracy.”

“So many things have happened since then but I have strong faith in the Filipino people, our leaders and the country’s future. We continue to aspire for a better life for all, and we will continue to work together to make it happen,” he said.

Ramos ended the foreword with his famous inspirational quip: “Kaya ba natin ito?

Kayang-kaya basta tayo ay sama-sama!” (Can we do this? We can! If we just work together!) g

by Kathleen de Inquirer.net

Villa

MANILA — Another emerging Omicron subvariant, given the moniker “Centaurus” in social and mainstream media, has found its way into the country with two individuals in Central Visayas testing positive for the virus, the Department of Health (DOH) announced on Tuesday, August 2.

Officially named BA.2.75 by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is believed to be more contagious and capable of dodging immune defenses provided by COVID-19 vaccines.

Officer in charge Maria Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health (DOH) said in a media forum that the infected individuals in the Visayas were the first two confirmed cases of BA.2.75, according to the results of the genome sequencing run from July 30 to Aug. 1.

One of them was unvaccinated, while the

other got only one shot of a COVID-19 jab, the health undersecretary said.

Although both have already recovered, Vergeire said their exposure and travel histories were still being verified.

“Based on studies, this is more transmissible and more immune evasive than BA.5. But there is no evidence saying that it can cause more severe infections,” Vergeire told reporters.

Social media roots First detected in India in July, BA.2.75 is a new sublineage of the Omicron strain, which has been blamed for multiple rounds of COVID-19 surges globally this year. The WHO has classified BA.2.75 as “Omicron subvariants under monitoring,” along with BA.5, BA.4, and BA.2.12.1.

The nickname Centaurus, a constellation in astronomy and a creature in Greek mythology that is half horse and half human, was traced to a certain Twitter user named Xabier Ostale, who tweets about COVID-19—and lately about

u PAGE 7

New York City declares state of...

PAGE 1 the mayor to suspend local laws, and enact rules, as necessary, to protect the well-being and health of all New Yorkers.

“This order will bolster our existing efforts to educate, vaccinate, test, and treat as many New Yorkers as possible and ensure a wholeof-government response to this outbreak.

In partnership with federal, state, and local officials we will continue to respond with the urgency required to keep people safe and this order is another tool to help us do so,” Adams added.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has also declared a state of emergency in New York, joining California and Illinois. Texas, Georgia, and Florida round up the top six states in the country with the highest number of recorded infections.

Under Hochul’s executive order, the state will require health care providers to send monkeypox data to its health department.

The order also allows the state to take additional steps to combat the outbreak more effectively, including allowing additional health care workers like EMS personnel and pharmacists to administer monkeypox vaccines.

The separate public health declaration of emergency issued on Saturday, July 30 by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) allows DOHMH Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan to issue commissioner’s orders amending provisions of the New York City Health Code to protect public health and slow the spread.

Currently the epicenter of the outbreak, New York City estimates that approximately 150,000 New Yorkers may currently be at risk for monkeypox exposure.

“We are declaring monkeypox a public health emergency in New York City. Over the past few weeks, we have moved as quickly as possible to expand outreach and access to vaccines and treatment to keep people safe,” Vasan said. “This declaration, which is effective immediately, will allow DOHMH to issue emergency commissioner’s orders under the New York City Health Code and

amend provisions of the Health Code to provide for measures to help slow the spread.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, monkeypox is a disease caused by a virus that belongs to the orthopoxvirus family of viruses. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as the variola virus, the virus that causes smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms but milder, and monkeypox is rarely fatal.

The first human case of monkeypox was recorded in 1970. Before the 2022 outbreak, monkeypox had been reported in people in several central and western African countries. Previously, almost all monkeypox cases in people outside of Africa were linked to international travel to countries where the disease commonly occurs or through imported animals.

While gay and bisexual men have the highest risk of infection right now, public health officials say that anyone can catch monkeypox through physical contact with someone who has the rash that characterizes the disease.

CDC says that monkeypox can spread to anyone through close, personal, often skinto-skin contact, including direct contact with monkeypox rash, scabs, or body fluids from a person with monkeypox; touching objects, fabrics (clothing, bedding, or towels), and surfaces that have been used by someone with monkeypox; or contact with respiratory secretions.

Symptoms usually start within two weeks of exposure, but in some cases, they may not appear for up to 21 days. Symptoms can last for two to four weeks. The most common symptom is a rash or sores that can look like pimples or blisters. These may be all over the body or just in certain parts, such as the face, hands, or feet, as well as on or inside the mouth, genitals, or anus.

NYC residents can stay up-to-date on the latest developments, including vaccine access, by texting “MONKEYPOX” to 692692. g

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From the Front Page

Fil-Am group launches campaign...

“Secretary Manalo is expected to assert the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the arbitral award as the twin anchors of our actions and policies on the South China Sea,” said DFA Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel Espiritu, referring to DFA chief Enrique Manalo.

Pulse Asia survey...

PAGE 1 all,” respectively.

“In the case of Russia, nearly the same percentages of adults are of the view that the Philippines must extend either a fair amount or not too much trust in the said country (31% versus 36%). While as far as China is concerned, virtually the same percentages say the Philippines should either trust China a little (36%) or not trust the said country at all,” Pulse Asia said.

Of note, 31% of interviewees said they felt that the Philippines should extend “a great deal of trust” to the United States, the country’s longest ally both militarily and economically.

22% said the same for Japan.

“For the most part, public opinion on the matter is essentially constant between September 2019 and June 2022,” Pulse Asia said.

In that time span, trust in Australia, China, and Great Britain improved by up to seven percentage points, while Filipinos who said the country should not trust South Korea too much also dropped by seven percentage points.

Pulse Asia conducted face-to-face interviews with 1,200 adult Filipinos from June 24 to 27 and reported error margins of ±2.8% good for a 95% confidence level.

‘Enemy of none’ Over his six years in office, former president Rodrigo Duterte was largely antagonistic towards the United States, which found itself on the receiving end of not-so-diplomatic rants while the then-chief executive cozied up to China.

After a 75-year history of diplomatic relations, Duterte time and time again threatened to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement, which outlines the agreement for military exercises between the Philippines and the US. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at his first State of the Nation Address on Monday, August 1, said that he would push for an independent foreign policy of being a “friend to all and enemy of none.”

“I will not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power...If we agree, we will cooperate and work together. If we differ, we will talk more until we agree,” he said.

“But we will not waver, we will stand firm in our independent foreign policy, with the national interest as our primordial guide. We commit to maintaining good relations with the rest of the world,” he added.

Diplomats have met Marcos to discuss cooperation between the Philippines and their respective states.

— Franco Luna and Kaycee Valmonte (Philstar.com)

PAGE 1 grassroots non-profit organization aims to build a community of support and open dialogue around combating hate and racism towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Even though it’s a Stop The Hate program, it’s really love that brings us together. It’s the love for each other as people, wanting to protect each other, protect our dignity as a community. We feel the hurt and we feel the pain when we see our AAPI elders, our sisters and brothers so brutally attacked. It calls us together as a community to do something. And in this moment, it’s important for us to understand what’s happening so that we can all come from a place of love,” said PWC Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza.

PWC’s “Stop AAPI Hate” campaign launch and concert with Noel Cabangon coincides with the Philippines’ “Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino” (Week of Filipino Music). In the private event, Noel Cabangon and his son, Gab Cabangon, performed a variety of songs dedicated to Filipino survivors of trauma and racism. According to Cabangon, the issue is very close to his heart since a family member of his also became a victim of a recent hate incident in New York.

Noel Cabangon is a multi-awarded singer, composer and musician, and is well-known for popularizing songs that evoke positive change in the community by uplifting human rights, environmental and social justice. His son, Gab Cabangon is also a singer/ songwriter and is the frontman of the KE band from the Philippines. The repertoire from both Gab and Noel Cagangon’s musical performances were centered on bringing joy to the Filipino community amidst their struggles, sparking hope and healing, and encouraging strength and resilience.

Noel Cabangon also invited members of the Filipino community to the stage for an impromptu jam session of OPM hits, which was then followed by community singing of popular Filipino songs.

“I know it sounds simple but listening to music really helps improve my emotional health and helps in my journey towards healing. I am grateful to Pilipino Workers Center and to Noel Cabangon for making this event

Photos courtesy of Pilipino Workers Center

possible. Napa-jamming at napasaya nila kaming lahat ngayong gabi!” said Lloyd, PWC member and trauma survivor, now based in Los Angeles.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, an alarming trend of individual acts of hate, from verbal harassment to physical assault, have been directed toward Asians. And more recently, incidents of hate crimes against Chinese, Filipinos and other individuals from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have been reported all over the United States.

A national report from the Stop AAPI Hate campaign indicate the following national trends: • Verbal harassment (63.0%) continues to make up the biggest share of total incident reported.

• Physical assault (16.2%) comprises the second largest category of total reported incidents followed by the deliberate avoidance of AAPIs (16.1%).

• Almost half (48.7% of all hate incidents took place in public spaces in public streets (31.2%), public transit (8.4%), and public parks (8.0%).

“The history of this country was actually founded on racism. From the beginning, our economy was built on slavery,” said Versoza. “It’s not new to the AAPI community that this is happening.

This is larger. So, our solutions have to be larger than the incidents. In order to change the narrative and hold people accountable to what is happening in this pandemic.”

The organization’s “Stop AAPI Hate” campaign uses cultural events, healing workshops, bystander intervention trainings and educational programs to build solidarity and find ways to protect AAPI communities. The concert is just one of many events and programs that PWC plans to implement within the coming months. g

Jo Koy and friends raise $75K for Fil-Am nonprofit...

PAGE 1 communities in Los Angeles.

Jo Koy, who is promoting his breakthrough film “Easter Sunday,” hosted the event. He also has a Netflix special coming in September.

Koy and Lin presented a $25,000 check to SIPA board officers Edward Malicdem, Jennifer Taylor, Rachel

Buenviaje and Rita Garcia, Variety reported.

The comedian matched the donation and then put the CEO of production company Rideback on the spot by asking him to fork over another $25,000, raising the total to $75,000.

“You should have seen him sweat; I have never heard the sound of sweat until

now,” he joked, according to Variety.

A panel on Asian American representation in news and entertainment started the evening, moderated

by Kathy K. Im, director of journalism and media at the MacArthur Foundation.

Among the panelists were Los Angeles Times TV critic Lorraine Ali, CNN

reporter Lisa Ling, Panda Express Chief Brand Officer Andrea Cherng and UTA’s Jacqueline Kim, Variety reported.

Capping the event was a stand-up comedy routine from AAPI comedians that included Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, Fahim Anwar and Andrew Lopez. (Inquirer. net)

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OPINION

FEATURES

Builder of peace, Team Philippines

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Philstar.com

He wanted all Filipinos to rally behind “Team Philippines” – and Fidel Valdez Ramos meant it, without snide remarks behind his opponents’ backs or smear campaigns directed at his critics.

Winning the presidency by a plurality in a sevencornered fight in 1992, “FVR” reached out to enemies of the state, forging peace with the secessionist Moro National Liberation Front, granting amnesty to rightwing rebels and negotiating peace with the communists. A hero of the 1986 people power revolt that toppled the dictatorial regime of his cousin, Ramos also reached out to the constituencies of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.

Upon assuming the presidency, his first achievement was to put an end to the crippling blackouts. Although his solutions led to costly electricity in the long-term, the restoration of reliable power especially in Metro Manila and the production centers of Central Luzon got the economy back on its feet. Ramos then set out to liberalize the economy, allowing the country to avoid the worst of the Asian financial crisis that erupted in July 1997. Within the formidable constraints set by Philippine politics and culture, he made sincere efforts to introduce structural

reforms and promote good governance.

FVR said six years is too long for a bad president, and too short for a good one. His supporters tried to push for a constitutional amendment that would have allowed him to seek a second term, but the people’s initiative was shot down.

Upon retirement, Ramos gladly played the role of elder statesman. In 2016, following the leadership change, Rodrigo Duterte publicly thanked Ramos for persuading the former mayor of Davao City to run for president under a platform of shifting to federalism.

Between rounds of golf and socializing, FVR wrote books. In one, he declared: “The only thing that countries cannot outsource is good government – which must be homegrown – along with leadership, national solidarity, competence, teamwork, and other cherished values.”

In an interview in his twilight years, he said, “Who wants to slow down? The most glorious way of dying, as far as soldiers are concerned, is to die from an enemy’s bullet in combat. But

Editorial

Commentary

MELANDREW T. VELASCO “WE Filipinos have always found it easier to die for our country than live for it. In times of peace and civil order, we seem to fritter away in bickering. We split so easily into fractions, each intent on its petty agenda. We play at

equally glorious and noble is just to drop dead of old age after providing for a family, paying your taxes, and helping your community and your neighbor.”

Rest easy now, FVR intrigue: each pursuing his or her self interest, although doing so may be self defeating.”

Thus wrote former President Fidel Valdez Ramos as part of his foreword in the landmark book “Twilight Glory: A Tribute to Filipino Heroes and Veterans” published in August 2020 by Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc (MTVI) and the Ramos Peace

and Development Foundation (RPDEV).

Prophetic it may seem were the former Chief Executive’s words of wisdom, Twilight Glory would go down as my last book collaboration with FVR who joined our Creator last Sunday, July 31, at the ripe age of 94.

For over 20 years since my first book on the Ramos family published in November 2000

in time for the birth centennial of FVR’s father, Ambassador Narciso R. Ramos, I have authored and co-published 15 landmark books on FVR’s family members and his foundation.

Not all are privileged to work with a former Philippine president.

I’ve had the blessing of serving alongside FVR whose love for our country and heart

That is exactly what Fidel V. Ramos did.

While mourning his demise, the nation celebrates the life of an exemplary public servant. (Philstar.com)

for good governance always ring a bell until he breathe his last.

FVR or Steady Eddie, as he was fondly called by his peers and constituents, was better known not just for his thumbsup sign, “Kaya Natin Ito” slogan, his ears or his tobacco but also for his push-ups and crunches and his programs of his administration especially with Philippines 2000.

Before COVID-19 came into being in early 2020, FVR, even at a ripe age of 92 still reported

to his RPDEV office in Makati almost daily but stopped playing golf in 2021 upon doctor’s advice.

Even in his nonagenarian years, he never failed to carry on what he had started. Always a good soldier, FVR always liked to say that he would rather die serving his country with his boots on than sit idly to enjoy his retirement. Thus, I remember him continuing to inspire and to stimulate, stir and enthuse, define and PAGE 10

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

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Philippines to assert arbitral ruling at ASEAN foreign ministers’ meet

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines will assert the 2016 arbitral ruling on the South China Sea issue at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia next month, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Thursday, July 28.

“Secretary Manalo is expected to assert the 1982 UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the arbitral award as the twin anchors of our actions and policies on the South China Sea,” said DFA Assistant Secretary for ASEAN Affairs Daniel Espiritu, referring to DFA chief Enrique Manalo.

The 55th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Phnom Penh from Aug. 2 to 6.

At the meeting, the foreign ministers will be discussing ASEAN priorities

for cooperation in 2022, the process of building the ASEAN Community, the directions for ASEAN development for 2025, COVID-19 response, ASEAN external relations, ASEAN centrality, as well as other relevant regional and international issues.

On July 12, Manalo rejected attempts by China to undermine the ruling, saying the tribunal’s findings are “indisputable.”

Manalo made the statement during the 6th anniversary of the Award on the South China Sea Arbitration.

He said the award and the UNCLOS are the twin anchors of the Philippines’ policy and actions on the maritime issue.

Meanwhile, China has downplayed a warning by U.S. officials of rising cases of Chinese provocations in the South China Sea targeting other states with maritime claims in the

region.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry said the US officials’ remarks misrepresented the facts as the South China Sea is the common home of countries in the region.

On July 26, deputy assistant secretary for East Asia at the State Department Jung Pak told a U.S. think tank event that Chinese provocations were increasing.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner warned that considering China’s behavior, it would only be “a matter of time” before a major incident occurs in the region.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian debunked the U.S. officials’ claim but admitted, “we are soberly aware that the South China Sea is not entirely tranquil.”

He noted that China and ASEAN countries jointly commemorated the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration on the

Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and agreed to continue to fully and effectively implement the DOC and actively advance consultations on a code of conduct (COC) to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea and the region.

According to Zhao, the South China Sea is not a place to be turned into a wrestling ground by big powers outside the region.

In March, U.S. IndoPacific commander Adm. John Aquilino said that the construction of missile arsenals, aircraft hangars, radar systems and other military facilities at Zamora (Subi) Reef, as well as Panganiban (Mischief) and Kagitingan (Fiery Cross) Reefs “appeared to have been completed.”

The function of China’s artificial islands is “to expand the offensive capability of China,” he said. g

More contagious, evasive ‘Centaurus’...

PAGE 2 monkeypox—and how to stay safe. In a post last month, Ostale said he was fed up with the Greek alphabet system used by the WHO, and that he would name BA.2.75 after the galaxy Centaurus. This caught on in social media and traditional media such as Forbes and Fortune magazines and The Guardian newspaper started using the term in reporting on the BA.2.75 subvariant.

It has since been detected in more than a dozen other countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Canada.

Both the WHO and the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) have designated it a “variant under monitoring,” indicating that it could be more transmissible, although the evidence that it could lead to more severe disease is reportedly currently weak.

The WHO continues to refer to it as an Omicron sublineage until it starts to behave differently from other Omicron subvariants and exhibits a strong public health impact, during which it would be given a separate Greek name.

More Omicron cases Meanwhile, the DOH said 1,015 more cases of BA.5, another highly transmissible Omicron subvariant, were reported in the same genome

sequencing data where the Centaurus was detected. Of the number, 883 had already recovered.

More than half, or 527 of them, were fully vaccinated, 12 have not completed their primary series, and 16 were yet to get jabbed. The vaccination status of the rest was still being verified.

Western Visayas (305), Metro Manila (209), and Calabarzon (122) were the top regions where the BA.5 infections were found, the DOH said.

There were also 26 new cases of BA.4, of whom 21 had already recovered; while 18 additional cases of BA.2.12.1 were detected, 13 of whom had been cleared.

Despite the continued upswing in COVID-19 infections, the country remained at low risk for transmission, Vergeire said.

However, Metro Manila is at moderate risk for posting an average daily attack rate (Adar) of 8.16 cases per 100,000 individuals.

On Monday, August 1, the DOH reported that the national weekly positivity rate for COVID-19 infection jumped to 16.7 percent — or more than triple the WHO’s ideal threshold of 5 percent.

The country, however, remained at a low-risk classification despite the increase in positivity rate as the average daily Adar remained at a low 2.9 cases

per 100,000 population.

Low risk status Vergeire said that the continuous increase in cases did not translate to an increase in COVID-19 admissions as the number of severe and critical cases continued to be below 1,000, with the majority of hospital admissions being a combination of mild and asymptomatic cases.

The health-care utilization rate was also at low risk nationwide.

So far, 71.7 million Filipinos have been vaccinated against COVID-19, including 9.7 million adolescents, 4.1 million children, and 6.8 million senior citizens. However, less than a third of those eligible for boosters have received their shots.

The government has warned that the number of reported COVID-19 infections could reach as high as 19,306 a day by Aug. 31, if vaccination and booster rates, as well as compliance with minimum public health standards, would not improve.

The DOH said that if both vaccination and booster shot numbers would improve, the daily cases might hover between 6,000 and 8,000 cases a day.

Health experts have been pushing for a ramped-up vaccination drive especially with the impending return of in-person classes starting this month. g

CLEANUP DRIVE: Volunteers and personnel from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and Manila Department of Public Services join a cleanup drive to clear the Manila Baywalk Dolomite Beach of garbage washed up by waves on Sunday, July 31. The Dolomite Beach is the newest attraction initiated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources as part of its Manila Bay rehabilitation program.

PNA photo

LA County to start...

PAGE 1 Novavax vaccine, which is a two-dose primary series, with the second dose administered three weeks after the first. Boosters are currently not recommended and the Novavax vaccine is not yet authorized for children 17 and younger.

Residents can walk into any Public Health vaccination location to receive the vaccine. Residents can also contact their provider to see if their provider is offering Novavax.

California Health & Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, and Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, issued a joint statement on Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine being newly authorized for use in the United States to combat COVID-19. This statement follows the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup’s support of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendation.

“We’re excited to have a new tool in our COVID-19 toolbox here in the United States, and the Novavax vaccine provides another safe and effective option for unvaccinated adults. Novavax will now join Pfizer and Moderna as recommended options to stay better protected against the most severe outcomes of COVID-19. Californians can

rest assured that Novavax meets the FDA’s rigorous standards of safety and efficacy that are required when receiving emergency use authorization.”

“The Novavax vaccine was developed using proteinbased technology instead of mRNA technology. FDAapproved protein-based vaccines have been used widely for decades and include vaccines to prevent hepatitis B and shingles.

Novavax is authorized as a two-dose primary series, given three to eight weeks apart, in individuals ages 18 and older.

“COVID-19 vaccines continue to be our most powerful tool to prevent serious illness and remain a critical aid against fastspreading variants, as we’re seeing with Omicron BA.5 and BA.4 right now. While Novavax won’t be available for a few more weeks, we urge Californians who have not yet been vaccinated or are eligible for a booster to make an appointment today.

“Since the start of the pandemic, the State has administered over 78 million COVID-19 vaccine doses – more than any other state. Staying up to date on vaccination remains the best way to prevent hospitalization and death from COVID-19, including for our youngest children. Find a COVID-19 vaccine near you at myturn. ca.gov or by calling 1-833422-4255.” (AJPress)

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AUGUST 5-11, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

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9

MSG Sphere in Las Vegas is on track for late 2023 opening

By REALTOR FELY QUITEVIS-BATEMAN

EXPECT Las Vegas to always be in the forefront of groundbreaking venues.

In the second half of 2023, Madison Square Garden Entertainment’s one-ofa-kind shaped venue, the MSG Sphere, will debut. It is located just east of the Strip and near the Venetian.

It is the largest spherical structure in the world, and is a reported 516 feet wide and 366 feet tall. The MSG Sphere is a project of the

Las Vegas Sands Corporation, which owns the Venetian, and MSG Entertainment.

When completed the MSG Sphere will be able to host anywhere from a 17,500 to 18,500 seated audience, which can ultimately expand to 20,000 when standing room is added, on seven levels. It is going to be built at a reported cost of $1.9 billion.

The Sphere is connected to the Venetian Expo by an indoor pedestrian bridge.

According to news reports, the MSG Sphere will be able to host a wide variety of events, including concerts, corporate events, musical residencies, custom-made live or pre-taped events, product launches and sporting events (boxing, wrestling or mixed martial arts, but reportedly not basketball or hockey).

What makes the venue stand out, aside from its shape, is a curved interior display plane that is about 160,000 square feet, and standout resolution that should blow

Day and night view (above, left and right) from the penthouse balcony of Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman of the MSG Sphere, which is scheduled to open in the second half of 2023. The Sphere will provide a fully immersive, state-of-the-art experience for audiences. At 366 feet tall and 516 feet wide, it is reportedly the largest spherical structure in the world.

people’s minds. According to an official, “the display wraps from behind the stage over the top of the seating sections and goes all the way back behind the audience.”

To create a fully immersive experience for the audience, the company is working on 4-D technologies, such as immersive seating, evocative scents and changing temperatures that will take attendees’ experience to a whole new level. It is also working with German electronics firm Holoplot to have beam-forming audio comprising of 164,000 speakers that will deliver consistent, targeted and crystal-clear audio to every guest.

And viewing is not limited to its interiors. The exterior shell, or exosphere, will have the ability to show programming.

The 580,000-square-foot, fully programmable outer shell will be a canvas where content creators can display elaborate visuals for brands, events, and artists. Imagine seeing your favorite artist, band, celebrity, product and what-have-you on

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (left) met recently with Nye County Chief Planner Brett Waggoner (middle) and newly-elected Nye County Commissioner Ron Boskovich (right) to discuss the huge impact of various projects being built on

Lunch business meetings with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman are usually held at the Stirling Club Restaurant, while dinner business meetings are held at Benihana’s or Fresco Italian Restaurant in Westgate. Both places are just walking distance from her penthouse at Turnberry Place.

a grand scale… it will surely push content developers to go out of their boundaries as the exosphere can be seen from quite a distance.

It could become quite the attraction for those in Las Vegas already, or those flying in by plane due to its size. As traveling has resumed after strict lockdowns due to the pandemic, Las Vegas has experienced considerable gains in passenger traffic in

its airport, with a reported 4.7 million travelers arriving or departing in June 2022, which is a 23% increase from the past year. Similar to when the Luxor debuted in the 1990s and people regaled at the beam of light emanating from the top of the pyramidical structure, the MSG Sphere can be quite the sight for those coming in from the sky and looking at the Las PAGE 10

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AUGUST 5-11, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

Rest easy now, FVR...

PAGE 5 redefine, challenge and defy the odds.

In hindsight, even 24 years after he finished his term as President, FVR or Eddie, the private citizen, refused to be “tired even while retired.”

He continued to be “a reformer despite being a former President,” and delighted by an “ex” but never considered him to be an excess and not yet expired.

Other former chiefs of state write their memoirs and then fade into the sunset. FVR was an exception. In fact, he had written more than 30 books while in retirement and through keynote speeches, roundtable discussions, university convocations, etc., kept reminding his successors and other leaders of the urgent things what’s needed to be done for our country and people to achieve a better future.

My relationship with FVR can be described as a wonderful journey that transcended beyond the books we have done together.

As stated earlier, since 2000, FVR had commissioned me to write on the biographies of his loved ones: “Enduring Legacy,” on his father Foreign Affairs Secretary Narciso Ramos; “ In A Class of Her Own,” on his mother Angela Valdez Ramos; “Mommy: The Pillar of Social Work” on his mother-in-law Josefa Jara Martinez; “Simply Ming,” on First Lady Amelita “Ming” M. Ramos; “Uncle Sim” on Simeon Marcos Valdez; and, “Colors of Light” on his artist, poetess and ambassador’s spouse auntie Lucia Mangapit Valdez.

Among the best book projects we worked and produced together are: Silver Linings, a story on the 25 Years of the 1986 Revolution, RPDEV @ 15: Our Continuing Voyage for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development and the first volume, Teamwork for Enduring Peace and Sustainable Development chronicling ten years of the Ramos Peace and Development Foundation (RPDEV), a non-profit, non-political, non-partisan non-government organization where he served as chair.

Our last book together as co-publishers was co-authored with PVAO Administrator Gen. Nesty Carolina and Gen. Pol Bataoil, former Congressional Chairman for Veterans Affairs and now Lingayen mayor. Twilight Glory was supposed to be presented on his 92nd birthday celebration on March 22nd 2020 at Fairmont Hotel but had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 and lockdown in Metro Manila.

Looking back, it is not only a singular honor and privilege writing and publishing books. All these years, I always consider it is a gift and a blessing from the Almighty and from FVR himself who always served as a constant guide, inspiration, editor and prime mover of said book projects.

The past 21 years and the several book teams formed have been a great journey of rediscovering FVR and RPDEV. With his passing to the great beyond, we have a bunch of team that now form part of a select group called Fidelistas, ardent students and admirers of Fidel V. Ramos.

Working with him has allowed the various book teams, notably the millennials, to experience some of FVR’s core values and best practices such as CSW (Completed Staff Work), CSD (Caring, Sahring and Daring), and UST (Unity, Solidarity and Teamwork) – all advocated by FVR. There’s no denying that FVR also became my loving mentor and my second father having earlier lost my own when he succumbed to cancer in 1994.

Just like a disciplinarian father, there were times when FVR scolded me when especially

when coming in late for our appointed meetings; reprimanded me when I was not up to his high and excellent standards; and, he patted my back in times of appreciation and satisfaction on good works done.

During regular visits to his office, he personally saw to it that my team was served with his “coffee royale” laced with virgin coconut oil because according to him, it works well for the health and vitality. We all have to agree. After coffee, he treated us either with a glass of red wine or his special “FVR cocktail drink” invariably laced with soda, rum, cognac, whiskey or brandy while watching some documentaries or FVR taped interviews showcasing his milestone presidency and continuing work as senior statesman.

As for his many sorties overseas wherein I was privileged to join, I witnessed how he continued to be admired, respected and adulated as former President and head of state.

But there’s one unforgettable experience I had with him that showed the stuff he was really made of.

I remember one incident in June 2013 when we staged the Pilipinas Roadshow with my cobook authors former DILG Secretary Rafael M. Alunan III and Gen. Reynaldo V. Velasco featuring our book “Silver Linings: 25 Years of the 1986 People Power Revolution,” and “Tagaligtas: A Documentary on the Spercial Action Force” (long before the Mamasapano massacre happened) in eight key cities in the United States to promote Filipino values and instill patriotism to the Fil-Ams in time for the Independence Day celebration.

Inspite of the debilitating pain on his back and leg when he injured himself in San Diego, California while doing his usual crunch with some Fil-Ams, FVR, who was very well beyond his years, withstood the pain and committed to continue the 8-city tour to Atlanta, Georgia, Washington D.C., Virginia, New Jersey and New York without any complaints or grievance.

Beyond the pain, the show must go on.

Such a kindred and brave soul in FVR and he taught the Pilipinas Roadshow Team a lesson or two on pain management, mind over matter, professionalism and honoring one’s commitment.

Through the years that I’ve known him, the many young and not so old writers that have been involved with the book projects have also seen the other human side of FVR – comical, witty and a tad bit serious when needed.

I still recall the usual drill when he shook the hands of one lady writer and FVR feigned sickness to the lady writer’s great concern.

Obviously, he was just joking.

Such funny incidents and lighter moments would make most of them wonder how at his age, he still continued to work and contribute to nation building with his wealth of ideas, wisdom and experience.

Unfortunately, for the many national leaders who came after him both in the executive and legislative, they didn’t seem to take the golden opportunity of tapping his vast reservoir of wisdom and experience, particularly in the areas of good governance and global diplomacy.

With his passing, I believe that FVR is one of the greatest Philippine Presidents this country ever had, being a historian and eyewitness to Philippine history over the last 50 years.

Having served as 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998, FVR is best remembered for promoting the principles of people empowerment, a culture of excellence, and global competitiveness, focusing on programs to alleviate poverty and improve the

http://www.asianjournal.com • (212) 655-5426

MSG Sphere in Las Vegas is...

PAGE 9 Vegas skyline.

And since MSG Entertainment is one of the partners for the Formula 1 race taking place in 2023 in Las Vegas, it is a safe bet that the exosphere will play a part in enhancing the racing experience for both drivers and spectators. The racecourse will actually have the drivers racing around the MSG Sphere’s exteriors before it takes them to the straightaway on the Strip.

Reportedly, the popular band U2 is scheduled to open the MSG Sphere when it debuts in 2023.

It is rumored that the second-highest grossing band will have a residency at the venue to be spread in multiple months and on nonconsecutive days.

U2, which formed in 1976, is said to be the longest-running band with its original lineup.

It only trails the Rolling Stones among highest grossing bands, having earned a reported $2.2 billion and having sold more than 28 million tickets in concerts around the world.

It will be interesting to see the MSG Sphere when it opens in 2023. If everything goes according to plan, it should become a leading venue for companies, musical acts and immersive events where both attendees on the inside and onlookers from outside can get the experience on different scales.

The MSG Sphere is just one of the many venues planned for Las Vegas in the next few years. Expect the Las Vegas skyline to undergo some more changes as companies are planning to pour in billions of dollars in projects to the city, which includes the planned $3 billion entertainment hub by the Oak View Group that is in its starting stages.

Hard Rock International, which recently purchased The Mirage Hotel and Casino for a reported $1.075 billion, is pursuing its plans to construct a guitar-shaped hotel in Las Vegas.

If they are successful, that would make two guitar-shaped hotels in the United States for the company. The first one is located in Florida.

What does this all mean for the consumer in Las Vegas? It means continuous construction jobs and more employment opportunities when these projects open. And that could translate to more demand for housing in the future, even if there seems to be a slowdown in home sales recently.

I have many decades of experience in assisting lives of ordinary Filipinos. This is evident in the 229 structural/reform laws enacted by the 9th and 10th Congress during his term, achieved principally by building unity, solidarity and teamwork among government and civil society leaders.

As a soldier who served for 42 years, including stints in Korea, Vietnam and in the counter-insurgency campaign, FVR retired as a 4-star General and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces. He served as Defense Secretary from 1988 to 1991.

As President and thereafter, he is better known as a peace builder with the forging of the peace agreements with the rebel-soldiers in 1995 and with the Moro National Liberation Front in 1996.

The former President who has been in public service since beginning his career as a cadet in the U.S. Military Academy in 1946, continues to practice his distinct brand of public service through the non-government RPDEV Foundation which he and key members of his former Presidential family organized only months after they left office.

His legacy of public service before, during and after his six year presidency are unmatched:

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

clients who are looking for their first home, second/vacation homes, investment properties or land (for future use/development). I can assist you in looking for these opportunities, given your budget and things you are looking for. Many of my clients have begun to reap the benefits of their investments, including turning their properties to rentals or Airbnb, or getting a good return on investment for the properties they bought in previous years.

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

(Advertising Supplement)

West Point honor graduate, Korea and Vitenam War veteran, AFP Vice Chief of Staff, PCINP Chief, EDSA 1 hero, AFP Chief, Defense Secretary, Philippine President, RPDEV and Boao Forum Chairman, EDSA 2 hero and Senior Statesman.

Not that he is gone, I can only recall the best times I have with him. Incidentally, Pilipinas Kong Mahal is his all time favourite patriotic song.

Truly, Fidel V. Ramos has left an endearing legacy to our nation and with the books that we have done over the last 20 years, I now comfort myself for being the torchbearer in bringing his indelible imprints on patriotism that celebrate a milestone of life, love, learning for his people and service to our beloved Philippines.

Rest easy now FVR. Thank you Mr. President for your service to our country and our people.

To honor your legacy, we will always carry on your favorite battle cry: KAYA NATIN ITO!!! *** 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.

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NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 5-11, 2022

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

11

How a son who jumped ship was able to petition his out-of-status mother, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy THIS Sunday’s episode features Nanay Emi who wanted to legalize her status after she arrived in the U.S. on a tourist visa and overstayed in 2010.

After consulting with leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, she was advised to wait for her son to first legalize his status and become a U.S. citizen. Only then could the son be able to petition his mother.

They had to wait patiently though, since Nanay Emi’s son, Jerome, was a crewman who jumped ship in 2004.

Even though he was married to a U.S. citizen, he was unable to file for adjustment of status in the U.S. It was Nanay Emi who saw the news

of a new regulation in 2013 that could benefit her son: provisional waiver.

Jerome was able to safely return to the Philippines in 2015 to get his immigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy in Manila. After three years, Jerome became a U.S. citizen, and he was finally able to petition his mother.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 7 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

JUMPSHIP SON HELPS LEGALIZE HIS MOTHER, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Did you know that family members can “spread the love” by helping each other legalize their status? Mommy Emi (left) came to the U.S. on a visitor’s visa and overstayed.

Upon consulting leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right), she was advised to wait for her son to legalize his status in the U.S. first. But Emi’s son, Jerome, was a crewman who jumped ship and was not eligible to adjust status in the U.S. When the provisional regulations came out in 2013, Atty. Gurfinkel filed a provisional waiver so Jerome could get his green card in Manila, and eventually become a U.S. citizen, so he could petition his mother. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 7 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo.

(Advertising Supplement)

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AUGUST 5-11, 2022 • NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL

On Monkeypox

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE World Health Organization on July 23, 2022 declared Monkeypox a global emergency. Worldwide, there are more than 16,000 cases of Monkeypox, involving 75 countries so far, with at least 5 deaths. In the United States 4,600 cases have been reported in 30 States, the greatest number of cases compared to any country in the world. In the Philippines, one case was reported on July 19.

Today’s article on Monkeypox is authored by our guest infectious disease consultant, Dr. Joel C. Ang, MD. FAAFP, AAHIVM, President/Lab Director, Q Street Medical Associates in Washington, DC. What is monkeypox?

Monkeypox is an illness caused by a virus closely related to the smallpox virus.

Think of monkeypox and smallpox as their own unique type of virus. Historically, monkeypox has mostly infected animals in Africa, with an occasional spread to a human. The virus has escaped from its usual animal host and is now spreading from person to person. It has entered the sexual networks of men who have sex with men, and is increasing among that group. There are also a smaller number of cases occurring in other people.

What are the symptoms of monkeypox?

The virus causes blisters or pustules (“poxes”), which can be very painful. These can appear anywhere on the body.

In the current epidemic, they also are commonly found in the “underpants zone,” namely the genital and anal areas. They can also cause swelling and pain inside the anus. People infected with monkeypox may also have fever, muscle aches, headache, cough, swollen lymph nodes, loss of appetite, and other symptoms. People with monkeypox are generally ill for 3 to 4 weeks and must quarantine to prevent further transmission.

How is monkeypox spread?

Most commonly this virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact, such as during sex, especially via contact with the fluid from one of the pox

lesions. Monkeypox may also be transmitted by respiratory secretions and by body fluids such as semen. Close intimate contact seems to be the most common way it is transmitted, as opposed to simply being in the same room as someone.

Because of the risk of transmission, a person with monkeypox is asked to isolate from other people until they have fully recovered.

Is monkeypox an STI? According to authorities, monkeypox is not a sexuallytransmitted infection, because it does not always require sex for transmission, just skin contact with the virus.

However, the same could be said of herpes, which is often thought of as an STI, but is easily transmitted by nonsexual skin contact. There are many other STIs that can be transmitted non-sexually: by transfusion, needle-sharing, perinatally, etc. Just “being gay” does not necessarily put a person at risk of monkeypox; rather, it’s who he is in intimate contact with. This is important as gay males, who are not sexually active at all, have the same risk as anybody else. It is what one does intimately and with whom he does it with that exposes a person to this virus.

How does one get tested?

A health care provider swabs the fluid from a pox lesion and sends the swab to a lab for testing. This test is now available via large commercial labs in the U.S. There is no self-testing yet, and there is no blood test. A person must have at least one pox lesion in order to be tested. In that case, they should go to a health care provider.

How can monkeypox be prevented?

The most surefire way would be for a man to not have sexual contact with new male partners for the time being, since the virus is circulating primarily among men who have sex with men, and by intimate (often sexual) contact. It’s helpful to know who you are intimate with, whether they have a rash or other symptoms, or have been ill recently. Sex clubs, sex parties, and other similar settings pose a high risk of infection if a participant has this virus.

There is a vaccine, JYNNEOS, that is effective at preventing monkeypox (and smallpox). The vaccine is given as a shot under the skin, usually in the upper arm, with a second dose a month later.

People tend to have minimal PAGE 13

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Beyond the Stars: Star Magic sets 30th anniversary tour in US

By Donnabelle

GatDula-arevalo AJPress

LOS ANGELES – “It’s going to be a different kind of magic”. ABS-CBN’s talent agency Star Magic is expected to wow hundreds of its fans from all over the United States as it brings “Beyond the Stars”, one of its biggest global events in its 30 years of existence.

During a media conference to launch the U.S. concert tour, Star Magic head Laurenti Dyogi said the phenomenal two-hour concert extravaganza, showcasing the beststaged entertainment that only the brightest stars of this generation can deliver, will be held in New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles next month.

The shows which will be so far, the biggest in Star Magic’s history, Dyogi said, would feature stellar performances “like you’ve never seen before”.

Dyogi said as the U.S. concert will be part of the 30th Anniversary celebration of Star Magic, it would not only be continuing the tradition of the talent management agency of bringing exceptional shows but would also be a way to express gratitude to all their supporters in the U.S. “We would like to continue the Star Magic’s tradition. Not only this is a part of the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Star Magic but this is also our way of reconnecting with all our Kapamilyas in North America,” he said.

Dyogi, who is also the ABS-CBN Head of TV Production, said the threenight shows would also be a welcome respite for all our kababayans who have been secluded for a long time because of the pandemic.

“It’s been two years of tough times and we survived two years of global uncertainty and we have endured.

Now, it is also time to celebrate and inspite the challenges of traveling and mounting a show abroad, this is really our humble way of giving back to our loyal Kapamilyas so that is why we are having not just one but three shows in total both the East and West coasts,” he said.

As Star Magic wants to mount spectacular and some kind of “unique” from its previous shows in the States, Dyogi said they would be offering an unconventional line-up of talents to perform during the shows.

“After two years of hiatus, we want something new, something big. So we are bringing in new stars and we have also reliable stars like Zanjoe (Marudo), Kim (Chiu), Carlo (Aquino) as part of the team and so they will be the ones heading these concerts. But we have the younger ones as you said the past two years were very active on social media, on broadcast, everywhere, it’s a mix of reliables and the old ones are solid parties and the new upcoming artists of Star Magic,” he added.

For three decades now, Star Magic has served as home and training

ground to the biggest and brightest names in Philippine entertainment.

It has provided workshops in acting, dance, art, script appreciation, styling, and voice production as well as physical fitness training to develop wellrounded and world-class performers with discipline and the proper work ethic. Its artists are also encouraged to use their influence for good through supporting advocacies like those of ABS-CBN Foundation.

This is also consistent, he said, with Star Magic’s commitment to going global, not only through expansion of content production, but through championing the Filipino talent worldwide.

“When we go to the States this coming August, we also planned out some immersion programs for them and some workshops they can take on so we can also elevate their artistry and their craft so that they are ready to conquer the world and be ready to be part of the global arena of international artists,” Dyogi, who took charge of the talent management agency in early 2021, said.

Global events like these, he said, would help Star Magic talents hone their skills and give them exposure in the international global showbusiness industry.

“We are trying to keep the tradition started by Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) but at the same time, we are trying to explore other things. We are re-creating our content. We are very active in social media. We are encouraging all our artists to be active in social media, and we now entering a new phase of getting to the live shows again. Star magic will definitely create new content for our artists and a lot of our projects will be a way of marketing them not only in the Philippines and TFC (The Filipino Channel) but globally,”he said.

Dyogi, who is fondly called by his talents as Direk Lauren, said they are very excited to hold these concerts and give out kababayans very distinct shows. “I hope you are all excited as we are, to be returning to America in August for Star Magic’s 30th anniversary and Beyond the Stars concert. Hope to see you in one of our concerts,” he said.

Chiu, who has been in most of the shows of the ABS-CBN in the U.S. in the past, said what set these concerts apart from the previous ones are the “surprises” that they will give to their fans.

“With Direk Lauren as our captain of the ship now, it feels different and iba na sya now and we’re gonna surprise you kung saan man kayo dyan sa New York, Sanfo, LA. It’s gonna be a new taste of show na ibibigay namin. It’s different compared with ASAP or past Star Magic shows that we did before.

This is going to be something different, something new, exciting and lots and lots of talents na ipapakita namin na di pa nakikita ng maraming tao especially

our Kapamilyas,” Chiu said.

Two of the most popular talents of Star Magic, Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, whose “Donbelle” tandem became a hit after their TV series “He’s Into Her” got remarkable response from showbiz enthusiasts, shared the same excitement of performing for the first time in the U.S. As this is her first time to travel to the U.S. and perform in front of a U.S. live audience, Mariano said she wants to give her all in the shows.

“What we want to show and bring to them is home. A taste of home.

We want to make it the best. We had rehearsals, workshops those are the factors that would help us bring the best to them,” Mariano, who would love to try eating hotdogs sold in food carts in the streets of New York, said.

Pangilinan, son of actress Maricel Laxa and motivational speaker Anthony Pangilinan, said they are excited to meet their U.S.-based followers who have been dying to meet with them in person.

“The fact that we will see our overseas supporters for the first time, I’m sure we’ve seen you a lot but only through social media, digitally. We felt your support kahit di namin kyo nakikita physically, like what Kuya Zanjoe said, this is our way of thanking all of you for your overwhelming support for us and we promise to give you the best and we are just so excited, we have no words to describe how cool this is and super thrilled kami na makasama kayo. This is our (Belle) first out-of thecountry date,” Pangilinan, a former VJ in Myx, said.

Maymay Entrata, who became prominent after winning the reality game show, Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) five years ago, promised to sing “live” during the shows. Dyogi is also the executive producer of PBB. Entrata said they will also see to it that they will bring out laughter and joy to our kababayans all through out the shows.

“Magiging masaya po sila sa simula hanggang matapos po ung show at yun po yung sinusigurado namin. This is going to an explosive show that they will enjoy from start to finish that we will assure our audience. Each and everyone of us will showcase our own talent that they have never seen before,” Entrata, who joined Star Magic in 2017, said.

The other Star Magic talents lined up to join the three nights of exciting entertainment are: Andrea Brillantes; Gigi De Lana; AC Bonifacio; Kyle Echarri; Angela Ken; Sab; Lian Kyla; Janine Berdin; Eric Nicolas; Edward Barber; Alexa Ilacad; KD Estrada; Maris Racal; and Charlie Dizon.

New York Show will be held in Kings Theater, Brooklyn on August 6, 2022. San Francisco Show will be held in The Warfield on August 12, 2022.

Los Angeles Show will be at Saban Theater, Beverly Hills on August 14, 2022. g

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How Ruby Ruiz’s ‘no-acting’ approach On Monkeypox... helped land her a role in Hollywood series

By Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

Ruby Ruiz

Photo from Instagram/@rubyeruizzz

“I REALLY fought for her. This validates my decision,” said filmmaker Theodore “Ted” Boborol as a reaction to the news that it was Ruby Ruiz’s performance in his indie movie “Iska” that helped the actress land a role in the Amazon Prime Video drama series “Expats.”

Ruiz plays a Filipino nanny working for the character of no less than Hollywood actress Nicole Kidman. The series, which

is based on Janice Y. K. Lee’s 2016 novel “The Expatriates,” is expected to be released in 2023.

“Tita Ruby was really my first choice to play Iska. With what happened to her, I found validation in my decision to fight for her. I’m so excited for her. The more important news here is that she could get a best supporting actress nomination for her performance there,” Boborol told Inquirer Entertainment in a recent virtual chat.

PAGE 15

Elisse finds joy in being a mom and partner By leah

C. Salterio

Philstar.com

ELISSE Joson’s life as a first-time mom is “very different” from the time she was merely a carefree, single lady and a busy actress.

“Even if I am a mom now, I continue to grow as an individual,” Elisse admits.

“I enjoy my life now. I still can’t feel that I’m a mom. I learn a lot and I still grow each day because of my daughter, Felize, and McCoy (de Leon). It makes me a better person every day.”

Felize McKenzie, now 15 months old, is an adorable baby for Elisse and McCoy. The kid has been growing up too fast and they are both constantly discovering a lot of things about their bundle of joy.

An only child to her anaesthesiologist mom who raised her single-handedly, Elisse always dreamed of having a big family. Hence, she thanked McCoy’s family, who welcomed her with open arms after Felize was born.

“Thank you for McCoy. Thank you po for welcoming me and Felize into your family. I always wanted to have a big family someday and now our baby is very lucky to be with a big, happy

EMPLOYMENT

Elisse Joson

Photo from Instagram/@elissejosonn

family.

“Thank you for loving Felize. Thank you for guiding us into starting our own little family, for helping us handle our relationship better, for motivating us to always do more, for all the advice and family gatherings, I’ll cherish it po. We appreciate everything that you do for us. We love you po.”

As partners and first-time parents, Elisse and McCoy try to enjoy each

other’s company each day. “We try to learn new things and grow together,” she said. “That’s what’s important to me. Even though we’re young, we try to learn from each other.”

Elisse and McCoy were both housemates in Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7, where they met in 2016. Their popular pairing was dubbed as McLisse.

They opted to reveal about their baby before PBB Kumunity Season 10 in October last year and subsequently got Kuya as godfather for their child.

Elisse also thanked McCoy for constantly being with her, especially throughout her pregnancy. “You are a good son to Tito Mark, Tita Sheila,” she told McCoy. “A good brother to Ian, Markus and Shyla. A good man to me and a good daddy to Felize. You’re not perfect, but you do everything you can to be the best man for all of us.”

Elisse continued to praise McCoy for everything he does for their small family before expressing her love for her partner.

“Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you for being you. We love you.

I know that Felize will take on a lot of good qualities from you as she grows, not just your good genes. Naks!” g

PAGE 12 aftereffects from the vaccine. Protection begins a few weeks after the first dose. Although it is a live (but “crippled”) vaccine, JYNNEOS appears safe for people living with HIV, at least if their CD4 count is over 200.

If a person has had close/intimate contact with someone who proves to have monkeypox, the person can get a dose of vaccine.

If given soon enough it may prevent the infection completely, or (especially if given more than a few days after exposure) it still may make the infection less severe.

The supply of JYNNEOS is limited, although much more will be available over the next few months. It is being distributed by the CDC and local health departments, and from there to clinics where it is given to patients. Currently in the United States, the supply is allocated to cities and counties based on the number of cases there.

A question from a reader: “I am ‘older’ and I had the smallpox vaccine when I was a child, which younger folks today have not had, will this vaccine protect me from monkeypox?” We know that the immunity from smallpox vaccine fades with age.

The smallpox vaccine that some older folks had decades ago is unlikely to prevent monkeypox now. However, it may help reduce the severity of the disease if the person catches monkeypox.

How is monkeypox treated?

Most people with monkeypox do not need antiviral treatment; their system clears the virus on its own. The most common treatments a person might need are for control of symptoms such as pain and fever. There is an experimental antiviral (tecovirimat, or TPOXX) that can be obtained for people with severe symptoms. This is not available at regular pharmacies and would have to be accessed through the local health department, infectious disease clinic, or other clinic that has been authorized.

HIV antivirals do not treat monkeypox, nor do antivirals designed for other infections such as herpes, flu, COVID-19, etc.

COVID-19 updates As of this writing, there are 5,83,344,860 cases of COVID-19 infections, with 6,422,569 deaths worldwide. In the United States, there are 93,225,110 cases, with 1,055,576 deaths; in the Philippines, 3,782,822 cases, with 60,749 deaths. The 7-day DAILY average case was 121,413, with 446 deaths and 43,653 hospitalizations per day. The Omicron BA.5 is still the dominant subvariant, milder but nonetheless a killer. The pandemic is still with us. The new sub-strain BA.2.75 is upon us – thanks to the unvaccinated. We will see what this new sub-strain does. *** 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.

Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

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N E W YO R K / N E W J E R S EY AU G U ST 5, 2 0 22

people events arts culture entertainment

Jo Koy presented with Daly City ‘key to the city’ C

by JOSEPH

L. PERALTA / AJPress

OMEDIAN Jo Koy was presented with a Key to the City of Daly City in the city council chambers in simple ceremonies on Friday morning, July 22.

Accompanied by an entourage that included his sister Gemma, son Joseph Herbert Jr., Easter Sunday scripwriter Ken Cheng and friends and supporters, Jo Koy, who is Joseph Glenn Herbert Sr. in real life, received the commemorative plaque from Daly City councilmembers Juslyn Manalo and Pamela DiGiovanni.

Daly City Mayor Rod Daus-Magbual, Vice Mayor Raymond Buenaventura and Councilmember Glenn Sylvester could not make the ceremony due to previous commitments.

Koy also received a special citation from the County of San Mateo, represented by San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, declaring July 22 as Jo Koy Day in the county.

“It is with great honor to present this key to the city on behalf of the Mayor, the city council to you, Jo Koy. And with the significance of the key, it is from your sheer talent to make people laugh and as Joey Guila said, heal people… laughter is healing… and the key represents opening doors, literally bringing others along with you in a bayanihan spirit and the value of kapwa,” Councilmember Manalo said, after which she read the words inscribed on the plaque.

And in true Jo Koy fashion, the comedian had people laughing in stiches during his acceptance speech.

“Thank you so much.

Man, I’m overwhelmed right now. I am at a loss for words,” Koy said. “I am going to put this on my

Comedian Jo Koy (in orange cap, holding plaque) poses for a photo with County and city officials after he was given a Key to the City for Daly City on Friday, July 22. Daly City, which is called the “Gateway to the Peninsula,” features prominently in Koy’s new movie “Easter Sunday.”

AJPress photos by

keychain (elicits laughter)… have this key with my other keys… Oops, this is the key to the city. Sorry, I’m trying to get into my house here.”

“And of course this, I’m also going to make a walletsize (gesturing to the County citation),” he continued, while chuckling, “so I can always show people that I have my own day here. So I will be frequently here July 22nd… ‘Jo’s here again’… everyone, go home, this is my day. And then close the gate to Daly City. ‘No one’s allowed in here! It’s my day, have a nice day, bye!’”

In referring to the movie “Easter Sunday” which features Daly City, Koy said, “Like I said, it’s a movie about family. It’s the family we know, not just in Daly City but in this world… through laughter we can identify and relate to each other. And that was

the biggest thing I wanted to get across in this film.

I wanted to tell the story about my family, but most importantly I just didn’t want to let people know that only Filipinos can get this.”

“When you leave, you’re gonna be like, ‘Oh, that mom is just like my mom’ and ‘that kid is just like my kid’. And funny is just funny. At the end of the movie we can just all look at each other and go, ‘Ohhh, my mom did the same thing to me’… and that’s what it’s all about. We all want to be heard,” he added.

Koy went on to relate how the circumstances were different when his mom came to the United States – there was no Google, no Instagram. Koy said she had to find her own community, which he talked about during his

set in Seattle where his mom would scan the sea of people after church and try to find people who looked like her, asking them if they were Filipinos, and apologizing if they were of a different ethnicity.

“And as funny as that is, but that was her reality,” Koy related.

“So we got to teach this generation the struggle that our ancestors went through for us so that we can live this one. And it’s crazy that in 2022, we’re still trying to make sure that she’s heard or he’s heard,” he reflected.

He went on to cite Steven Spielberg and the studios for opening the doors for performers like him, and the hope that those doors are kept open so that other people can also walk in those doors.

“Let’s try not to bring it back, let’s try not to close it

Jo Koy had people in stitches during his acceptance speech in the Key to the City presentation in the Daly city council chambers on Friday, July 22.

on us ourselves. Let’s keep the door open, right?” he appealed.

“And I just want to end it with this: if that door does close, I have the key to open it,” he said, eliciting a ton of laughs. “Love laughter and life. I know how cheesy that sounds, but that’s Filipinos to me. That’s all we do – we love, we laugh and we live, that’s it. And you see it right here in Daly City. Look at us, we’re here and we’re all celebrating this moment together.”

After the ceremony, Koy spent the time taking pictures with officials present at the morning rites and posing with fans and well-wishers.

Koy is one of the few Filipino American comics with a wide following here and across the globe.

The 51-year-old has a few Netflix specials to his

credit, including one that is scheduled for release (Live at the Los Angeles Forum).

Aside from appearances in “The Tonight Show” (both in Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon’s iterations), “Jimmy Kimmel Live!,” and “Last Call with Carson Daly,” Koy was a regular guest in Chelsea Handler’s late night gig, “Chelsea Lately.”

Koy has a weekly podcast called “The Koy Pond,” aside from being heard on other podcasts.

Just in July of this year, Koy appeared with film producer Dan Lin in the “Rise for Comedy” festival where they were able to raise a $75,000 donation for the nonprofit group Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA).

Jo Koy’s new movie, “Easter Sunday,” will have its theatrical release on Friday, August 5. 

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How Ruby Ruiz’s...

PAGE 14 Boborol said he actually visited Ruiz while she was on a break in Los Angeles, California, from shooting “Expats” in April. “I went to her condo in West Hollywood. Ang sosyal!

She was even provided her own car. The production took a break because Nicole had to attend to another commitment. Tita Ruby treated me to dinner. Ang mahal! I told her, ‘Tita, thank you. I’m so proud of you,’” recalled Boborol.

Lengthy search Ruiz said one of the producers of “Expats” was able to watch “Iska” when it competed at the 2020 Harlem International Film Festival. Ruiz bagged the best actress honor from that festival held in New York City.

“They were trying to look for me. Of course, I wasn’t so easy to find because I wasn’t mainstream, so it took them a long while to locate me,” Ruiz told Inquirer Entertainment. “I guess it’s true when they say that if it’s meant for you, it will happen. There was one Filipino indie actress, her name is Chanel Latorre, who also auditioned for the role of the nanny. She got a callback but, eventually, she wasn’t picked because they said she was too young. She told them, ‘I feel frustrated.

What exactly are you looking for?’ The producers said, ‘It has nothing to do with your skills. We’re looking for someone older, someone in her mid-50s or early 60s who can really act.’”

Thinking of Ruiz, Latorre told the casting director that she knew somebody that matched the description.

“He said, ‘So what’s the name of your actor friend?’

When Chanel mentioned my name, he said, ‘Oh my God! We’ve been looking for her for a long time now!’

He immediately asked for my contact details,” said Ruiz. “Chanel then sent me a message and told me to audition. In the beginning, I didn’t feel too excited because, based on past experiences, I would always be a finalist but would never get chosen.”

Asked to share what she has learned from the experience, Ruiz, who also conducts acting workshops for young actors locally, said: “I would like to share this with my colleagues and students: It’s called no-

acting acting. It’s something that’s difficult to achieve, to be honest. Even I got reprimanded on the set one time.”

She continued: “I come from theater, where body movements and facial expressions are exaggerated. There’s this one scene where I was supposed to look up to a helicopter that passed by.

I guess I was feeling too happy, as if I was Mary Poppins, that I made an exaggerated gesture.

I got scolded. Deadma lang dapat.”

Ruiz then shared another memorable experience while shooting some of her scenes in Hong Kong. She said, “The first scene I did for the series was at a mall.

My character was supposed to join a queue of people at Western Union. Just for that simple scene, they filled the entire mall with people.

“As an actress, this helped a lot because I was really able to feel my character. I also felt lucky to be part of a project like that. They have the resources. If this was a Filipino production, hiring bit players isn’t a priority, so most of them are given double or triple roles.”

Filipino’s success Ruiz and Boborol also gave their comments on the recent success of another Filipino actress, Dolly de Leon, who received rave reviews for her performance in Ruben Östlund’s social satire “Triangle of Sadness.” The film won the Palme d’Or, the highest award at the 75th Cannes Film Festival in France.

“I’m so happy for Dolly,” said Boborol. “I got to work with her a few years ago in a teleserye with Denise Laurel that aired in the afternoon.

She played the evil principal there. Even back then, I already knew how good an actress she is.”

Ruiz, however, has not had the chance to work with Dolly yet, but would love to collaborate with her in a project soon. “I’m so proud of her. Making it to Cannes is no joke. It was also a big honor for our country. My dream is to see the two of us, with Jaclyn Jose (first Filipino to win best actress in Cannes, in 2016), in one project, even though this would most likely mean I’d play a nanny role again,” she said, laughing. g

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 5-11, 2022

15

Awra reminded of ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ journey in new musical role

By Alex

BrosAs Inquirer.net

THERE seems to be similarities between Awra Briguela’s character as Unique in “Lyric and Beat” and the actor’s journey as a contestant in “Your Face Sounds Familiar” season one. “‘Yung team ko sa ‘Lyric and Beat’, hindi kami laging nananalo. Ganoon din po sa ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar.’

Ako, every week, natatalo din. Sa dulo lang din po ako nanalo. Katulad din po ng Team Werpa. Madami po kaming pinagdaanan through competition,” Briguela said during the face-to-face grand mediacon for the series last July 19.

(My team in “Lyric and Beat,” we do not always win. It was like in “Your Face Sounds Familiar.” Me, every week, I also lose. It was only in the end that I won.

Just like with Team Werpa. We went through a lot in the competition.)

The series tells the story of a young and bubbly wannabe-singer Lyric played by Andrea Brillantes. The setting is in a high school, something which Briguela can also relate to. Briguela recalled that high school was a journey

Awra Briguela

Photo Instagram/@awrabriguela

like no other, moving from one school to another.

“Nag-start po ako ng public kasi nag-start na akong mag-artista. Noong nasa ‘Ang Probinsyano’ na ako, doon ako pinag-aral ni kuya Coco (Martin) sa AMA. Iyon ‘yung nag-face-to-face ako

hanggang naka-graduate ako ng high school noong start ng pandemic. Noong nag-pandemic, nag-online schooling naman po ako,” Briguela recalled.

(I started with public [schools] because I started to already act. When I was in “Ang Probinsyano,” that was when Coco sent me to school at AMA. That was where I did face-to-face [classes] until I was able to graduate at the start of the pandemic. During the pandemic, I was into online schooling.)

Briguela also shared about having long hair during the pandemic and how having a TV role requiring it helped Briguela keep it. “‘Yung naging excuse sa long hair ko is ‘yung work ko. Kung wala po akong excuse letter sa work ko, hindi nila ako i-a-allow na mag-long hair.

Since pandemic at online pa rin, hindi na sinisita ang hair at ‘yung kulay ng buhok,” the actor said.

(My excuse for my long hair is my work. If I did not have an excuse letter from work, they would not allow me to have long hair. Since there is a pandemic and [classes are also] online, they do not pick on hair and hair color anymore.) g

Binibining Pilipinas 2022 crowns its new queens

By Anne

PAsAjol, Armin P. AdinA Inquirer.net

BINIBINING Pilipinas has proclaimed its new set of queens, namely Nicole Borromeo of Cebu as Bb. Pilipinas International; Gabrielle Camille Basiano of Samar as Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental; Chelsea Fernandez of Tacloban City as Bb. Pilipinas Globe; and Roberta Angela Tamondong of San Pablo Laguna as Bb. Pilipinas Grand International.

The four Binibinis, including Herlene Budol and Stacey Daniella Gabriel, both from Rizal, as first and second runners up, bested 34 other candidates in the coronation night held at Smart Araneta

Coliseum Monday, Aug. 1.

Borromeo inherited the Bb. Pilipinas International crown from last year’s winner Hannah Arnold, while Samantha Panlilio crowned Tamondong as Bb. Pilipinas Grand International.

Two international titleholders also crowned their Bb. Pilipinas successors, who now have to secure back-to-back wins for the Philippines.

Reigning Miss Intercontinental Cinderella Faye Obeñita passed her Bb. Pilipinas title to Basiano, while current Miss Globe Maureen Montagne

relinquished her national crown to Fernandez.

Winners of special awards are Rizal’s Herlene Budol (Bb. Shein, Bb. Pizza Hut, Bb. Kumu, Jag Queen, Bb. Silka and Bb. World Balance), Iloilo City’s Karen Laurrie Mendoza (Bb. Moist Diane Shampoo), Tacloban City’s Chelsea Fernandez (Bb. Ever Bilena) and Samar’s Gabrielle Camille Basiano (Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown).

Arnold has yet to see action abroad and will compete in the 60th Miss International pageant this December. Her overseas assignment was delayed because of the postponement of the global tilt’s edition last

Bb. Pilipinas 2nd runner-up Stacey Daniella Gabriel, Bb. Pilipinas Globe Chelsea Fernandez, Bb. Pilipinas Intercontinental Gabrielle Camille Basiano, Bb. Pilipinas International Nicole Borromeo, Bb. Pilipinas Grand International Roberta Angela Tamondong and Bb. Pilipinas 1st runner-up Herlene Budol Inquirer photo by

year. The 59th installment was held in 2019.

Borromeo will join the 61st edition next year. The three other 2022 Bb. Pilipinas queens will head out to their respective international competitions in October.

Sunday night’s coronation program concluded a P-popthemed pageant season for Bb. Pilipinas. Boy group SB19 gave a P-pop flair to the pageant’s iconic theme song, which they also performed on the finals, where they also treated the audience to a medley of their hits “Bazinga” and “SLMT.” Meanwhile, the first allfemale hosting tandem of 2018 Miss Universe Catriona Gray and 2016 Miss Grand International first runner-up Nicole Cordoves that made “herstory” in last year’s competition returned this year.

But this time, they had help from Kapamilya heartthrob Edward Barber and 2020 Miss Grand International first runnerup Samantha Bernardo who both took over the chatroom with online viewers.

This is also the first edition with 2005 Miss International Precious Lara QuigamanAlcaraz as a member of the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. executive committee. g

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