081123 - San Francisco Edition

Marcos to make another trip to US in November

mANILA — President ferdinand marcos Jr. on Wednesday, August 9 said he is headed to the United states this November for the Asia-Pacific economic Cooperation (APeC). this would be his third trip to the U.s. as the Philippines’ chief executive. marcos assumed the presidency on June 30, 2022. the APeC is a regional economic forum of 21 countries, including the U.s. and the Philippines.

Register for overseas Filipino voting until Sept. 30, 2024 – PH Embassy

DoN’t

transfer of registration records, correction of entries in the Voter’s registration record, reactivation, and change of address may be filed at the Philippine embassy or your nearest Philippine Consulate General until september 30, 2024. for more information, visit https:// philippineembassy-dc.org/overseasabsentee-voting/ (inquirer.net)

Jordan Clarkson, now in Manila, upbeat ahead of Gilas’ Fiba World Cup bid

mANILA — Gilas Pilipinas’ naturalized ace Jordan Clarkson arrived in manila on tuesday, August 8, feeling optimistic about what lies ahead with the fiba World Cup just around the corner.

“I think we got a good chance to do some things—hopefully, we’d win some games,” Clarkson told reporters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport terminal 1 in Pasay City following a 15-hour trip from Los Angeles

“the Philippines is actively participating in Indo-Pacific economic framework, and APeC leaders meeting in san francisco in November, I look forward joining fellow APeC leaders in California, later this year. this will be my third trip in U.s. since I assumed office,” marcos said during a courtesy call with members of the U.s.-AseAN Business Council.

According to marcos, he will advance the country’s energy interests, saying that the Philippines is interested in sustainable land, water, and ocean solutions that align with climate goals.

“All efforts to increase the number of power

Marcos to new Army chief: Boost engagement with foreign counterparts

by Jean Mangaluz Inquirer.net

mANILA — President ferdinand

“Bongbong” marcos Jr. on monday, August

7 instructed newly installed Philippine Army chief Lt. General roy m. Galido to enhance the agency’s cooperation with the Philippine Army’s (PA) foreign counterparts.

Galido took over from General romeo

Brawner Jr., who was designated as the Chief of staff of the Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP) in July.

“We challenge you to lead and boost

your institution’s engagements with its foreign counterparts. I urge the entirety of our Army to enhance your interoperability and communications, as well as to learn best practices through training and joint exercises, which we intend to further expand,” said the president during the PA Change of Command Ceremony.

While the president did allude to a specific situation, this statement from marcos comes shortly after a China Coast Guard vessel fired a water cannon at a Philippine Coast Guard vessel and another

Vice President Sara received P300K, President Marcos zero for Cabinet posts

by elizaBeth Marcelo Philstar.com

mANILA — Vice President

sara Duterte was paid a total of P300,000 last year as the secretary of the Department of education (Deped), while President marcos received zero pay as concurrent secretary of the Department of Agriculture, a Commission on Audit (CoA) report showed. Based on the CoA’s “2022 report on salaries and Allowances” or rosA uploaded on its website last thursday, August 3, Duterte received P168,000 in allowances and P132,000 in discretionary and

extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses (eme) for a net pay of P300,000. this was for her six months as Deped secretary from June 30 to Dec. 31, 2022. Included in the rosA as the secretary of agriculture, marcos did not receive any salary, allowances or other pay for the post which he has been occupying since assuming the presidency on June 30, 2022, CoA’s breakdown showed.

Duterte’s take-home pay as education secretary, meanwhile, appeared to be the lowest compared to the amounts received by other members of marcos’ Cabinet. the 2022 rosA showed that

finance secretary Benjamin Diokno got the heftiest paycheck among marcos’ Cabinet members – a net pay of P28.781 million.

Diokno’s net pay included P6 million in basic salary as the governor of the Bangko sentral ng Pilipinas for six months from January to June 2022, prior to his appointment as finance secretary for which he received P1.640 million in basic salary for July to December 2022.

Diokno’s net pay also included P7.278 million in allowances; P11.555 million in bonus, incentives and benefits; P2.195 million in discretionary and eme, P24,000 in additional compensation and honorarium

and P89,067 classified as “others.”

the second highest paid member of marcos’ Cabinet was socioeconomic Planning secretary Arsenio Balisacan with a net pay of P6.947 million. Balisacan’s net pay included P3.128 million in basic salary as chairman of the Philippine Competition Commission from January to June 2022 until his appointment as socioeconomic planning secretary, which entitled him to P1.646 million in basic salary for July to December 2022. his take-home pay also included P1.182 million in bonus, incentives and benefits;

u PAGE 2

sources lean towards clean energy. that being the case, I am interested in the potential of nuclear energy, especially in light of new technologies and innovations that allow the use of smaller scale, modular, nuclear reactors, and other advanced [reactors] technologies that we see as being safer and more efficient than the more traditional designs of nuclear power production,” said marcos. President marcos first went to the U.s. in september 2022 for the 77th United Nations General Assembly. this was followed last may, highlighted u PAGE 2

US stresses PH right to resupply grounded ship

mANILA — the Philippines has the “right to be able to supply/resupply” its ship in Ayungin (second thomas) shoal and has not asked for assistance after China’s attack on its vessels on a resupply mission, the U.s Department of Defense said on tuesday, August 8.

“We stand with our Philippine allies in terms of their right to be able to supply/resupply the ship on the second thomas shoal, and that will continue to be our position,” Pentagon press secretary Air force Brig. Gen. Pat ryder said at a press briefing.

the U.s. highlighted China’s dangerous actions after the China Coast Guard (CCG) blocked and fired water cannons on a Philippine resupply mission near Ayungin shoal on saturday, August 5. the U.s. said the act directly threatened regional peace and stability. the boats were delivering food, water, fuel and other supplies to Philippine military troops stationed on BrP sierra madre in Ayungin shoal.

“I don’t have anything to announce right now in terms of sending any type of additional assistance. to my knowledge, the Philippines has not asked for additional assistance,” ryder added. the U.s. reaffirmed that an armed attack on Phil-

Details of meeting with Duterte ‘confidential’

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PresIDeNt ferdinand marcos Jr. on monday, August 7 declined to give details regarding his recent meeting with former President rodrigo Duterte, insisting that matters they discussed were "confidential."

marcos met with Duterte in malacañang last week. the latter reported about his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in China last month and "also discussed other issues."

"there are other things that we discussed which I think need to remain confidential; that's between President Digong and myself," the president told reporters during a chance interview in Bulacan

after conducting an inspection of typhoon-hit areas in the province.

"Again, these are operational aspects of our military, of our Navy, of our Coast Guard, that's why it is difficult to talk about it openly. I hope you will indulge me there," he added. Duterte and Xi met several days after the Philippines commemorated the seventh anniversary of the arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims in the south China sea. the Chinese leader reportedly urged Duterte to continue exerting efforts to promote promotion between the two countries. n

Marcos to make another...

by a meeting with President Joe Biden at the White house.

"By showing up our individual and collective capabilities, we are able to advance our countries as well, as the Indo-Pacific region’s security, stability, and economic prosperity as the testament to positive momentum

to our bilateral relations, President Biden and I, have identified concrete steps to ensure that our partnership and alliance remains relevant, responsive to current, emerging challenges to the defense, security, and economic spheres,” marcos also said before members of the U.s.-AseAN Business Council.

marcos’ remarks came amid rising tensions in the West Philippine sea after the Chinese Coast Guard fired water canon at Philippine Coast Guard vessels escorting boats carrying supplies for Armed forces of the Philippines personnel aboard the ground BrP sierra madre on Ayungin shoal on August 5. n

Vice President Sara received P300K...

PAGE 1

P354,000 in discretionary and eme, P262,000 in allowances, P23,863.63 in additional compensation and honorarium and P350,636 from prior years’ adjustments.

solicitor General menardo Guevarra, meanwhile, appeared to be the third highest paid Cabinet member last year with a net pay of P6.484 million.

Guevarra’s total pay also included the salaries and other compensations he received as justice secretary in the first six months of 2022.

the CoA’s breakdown showed that Guevarra received P1.672 million in basic salary as justice secretary for six months (January to June 2022) and another P1.672 million in basic salary as solicitorgeneral general from July to December 2022.

Guevarra’s net pay also included P1.424 million in additional compensation and honorarium; P612,230 in bonus, incentives and benefits; P599,266 in allowances; P324,500 in discretionary and eme and P180,927.25 from prior years’ adjustments.

Guevarra’s net pay paled in comparison with that of his predecessor, former solicitorgeneral and CoA chairman Jose Calida, who took home a total of P13.449 million.

the audit body’s record showed that Calida received P1.640 million in basic salary as solicitor-general for six months from January to June 2022 during the Duterte administration, until he was appointed by marcos as CoA chairman, for which he received P809,339.53 in basic salary in just about three months (July to september).

Calida resigned as CoA chairman, as announced by executive secretary Lucas Bersamin, on oct. 4.

Commission on higher education secretary Prospero De Vera III was the fourth highest paid Cabinet member with P5.103 million net pay. CoA’s record showed that De Vera’s net pay was for his full 12 months in office. marcos retained De Vera after the end of his term of office under the Duterte administration.

the fifth highest paid member of marcos’ Cabinet was science and technology secretary renato solidum Jr., whose net pay was P4.909 million, comprising his salary, allowances and other remuneration as Dost undersecretary in the first half of 2022 and as secretary in the second half of the year.

A total of 9,619 officials from 1,000 national government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, state universities and colleges and water districts were included in CoA’s 2022 rosA.

CoA’s rosA does not include elected government officials such as the president, vice president, senators and congressmen. n

US stresses PH right to resupply...

ippine public vessels, aircraft and armed forces, including those of its Coast Guard, in the south China sea would invoke U.s. mutual defense commitments under Article IV of the 1951 Us Philippines mutual Defense treaty. on monday, August 7, the Philippines lodged a diplomatic protest over China’s latest attack on Philippine vessels. the Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) summoned Chinese Ambassador huang Xilian and presented the Philippines’ strongly worded diplomatic protest on the blocking and water cannon operations by the CCG and Chinese maritime militia vessels against Philippine boats. the Philippines demanded that China immediately stop its illegal activities in the country’s maritime zones. During a joint press conference, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) showed videos and photographs of six CCG ships and two Chinese militia vessels blocking

two Philippine boats on a routine supply mission, dangerous maneuvers and aggressive use of water cannon against the boats.

the Philippines has filed 445 diplomatic protests since 2020 over China’s illegal activities in the West Philippine sea. In 2023, 35 diplomatic protests were filed, including the note verbale given during the summoning of the Chinese envoy.

Japan ODA Japan has provided more than P12 billion in funding to the Philippines to support its emergency response to victims of natural calamities and finance the purchase of new maritime equipment.

Japan is allocating 30 billion yen, or P11.79 billion, for the Post-Disaster standby Loan (PDsL) Phase 3 that seeks to bankroll recovery measures in disaster aftermath.

As with previous tranches of the PDsL, the Philippines can tap the financing anytime it requires additional capital for response

and relief efforts. the loan is slapped with an interest rate of 0.01 percent per annum and should be repaid within a period of 30 years.

“With typhoon egay attacking the Philippines just last month, it is evident that our countries are frequently exposed to natural disasters, including typhoons, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions,” Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko said.

Japan is also giving a grant of 1.1 billion yen, or P432.14 million, for the satellite Data Communication system of the PCG to improve monitoring of the West Philippine sea. Koshikawa on tuesday signed the notes for PDsL 3 and the satellite Data Communication system and turned over the documents to foreign Affairs secretary enrique manalo. tokyo serves as the largest oDA source for manila, with loans ranging from economic support to military assistance. n

Marcos to new Army chief: Boost...

boat on a supply mission in the West Philippine sea.

“I look forward to your plans to protect the shared identity that our past and present generations have built, and to transform the Army into a world-class force

that is a source of our country’s security and peace and pride,” said the President.

marcos assured Galido that his administration will continue modernizing the AfP and the PA, vowing to uphold national security.

hand in hand, we will work together to heighten the internal and external security of the Philippines to create a more conducive environment for the comprehensive growth and empowerment of our people,” said marcos. n

Infographic by Philstar.com

Isang scan ka na lang mula sa pag-send ng pera sa Pilipinas kung paano dapat.

Itutok lang ang camera mo sa QR code para automatic na i-download ang Remitly app. May makikita kang app na nasa Tagalog, nag-o-offer ng nakakagulat na murang fees para sa pag-send ng pera at nagno-notify sa iyo kung nasaan ang pera mo sa bawat hakbang ng proseso.

Magpadala

Paraan

Bank

KNOWLEDGE. Students are on their way to Marcelo H. Del Pilar Elementary School in Diliman, Quezon City on Monday, Aug. 7 to donate used books. The Department of Education has announced that School Year 2023-2024 in all public schools will start Aug. 29 and preparations are underway, making sure students will have everything they need.

Jordan Clarkson, now in Manila, upbeat ahead...

aboard Philippine Airlines Pr

103.

Clarkson, who is returning for a third tour of duty for the Philippines, is set to be on the cutting edge of Gilas once the global meet unfurls on August 25. Gilas coach Chot reyes said in an earlier interview that the Gilas brain trust is hoping to reintegrate the Utah Jazz star into the national program. the Gilas training squad is scheduled to arrive from China on tuesday afternoon, winning three of its four games in a pocket tournament against senegal and Iran in heyuan City in Guangdong province.

Clarkson’s first stint with Gilas was during the Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia, back in 2018. his most recent stint was at the World Cup Asian Qualifiers around this time last year. the Philippines is scheduled to host montenegro and mexico in a pair of friendlies a few days before the quadrennial event.

Clarkson, barring any complications, is expected to suit up in those games which should very well provide a glimpse of the final roster.

Gilas Pilipinas is bunched with the Dominican republic, Angola and Italy in Group A of the showcase that will also serve as a qualifying tournament for the Paris olympics next year.

SF’s biggest Filipino creative market celebrates 50 years

of Hip Hop with three block parties

this Fall

Internationally renowned DJ Neil Armstrong, rapper Rocky Rivera with Dj Roza, and Dj Icy Ice of The Beat Junkies headline first block party

sAN frANCIsCo – Undiscovered (UNDsCVrD) sf, a filipino creative market produced by Kultivate Labs and make it mariko, returns for its seventh season, honoring the 50 year anniversary of hip hop with three block parties on August 19, september 16, and october 21 in somA Pilipinas with the main entrance located at 5th and minna street. this year’s filipino American Block Party theme celebrates hip hop’s past, present, and future influence and impact on filipinos, and how filipino Americans have also influenced hip hop respectively. UNDsCVrD’s first block party on saturday, August 19 debuts with internationally renowned DJ Neil Armstrong, rapper rocky rivera with DJ roza, and DJ Icy Ice of the Beat Junkies. At the press preview on August 1, toro y moi donated his ‘mahal’ tour jeepney bus to somA Pilipinas, becoming a permanent love letter and contemporary landmark to the filipino community.

“I had the privilege of growing up in NYC during the golden era of hip hop. I was so engulfed in the culture that I didn’t want to just be a fan, I wanted to contribute to it, but I didn’t know what it was I wanted to do until I saw 2 fellow filipinos do their thing on the 1’s and 2’s – Bay Area natives DJ QBert and DJ shortkut,”

says filipino American DJ Neil Armstrong. “this was 1995, and the number of filipinos really deep into hip hop – especially in NYC – wasn’t very large. seeing these two cats who looked like me represent, showed me the possibilities, and that spark they provided brought me around the world doing my thing on the turntables. I’ve had the opportunity to DJ for the first black president of the United states, performed at madison square Garden with arguable the greatest rapper of all time Jay-Z, and have been able to make a living doing something I’ve loved for the past 25 years and it was all because I saw a couple of filipino kids on stage.”

UNDSCVRD SF’s biggest year yet since 2017, Kultivate Labs and make it mariko’s mission with UNDsCVrD sf has been to develop a vibrant, connected, commercial corridor on mission street within the somA Pilipinas Cultural heritage District. With the existence of new physical spaces within the district — Kapwa Gardens and the Balay Kreative studio — in addition to its already existing staples, this corridor is now coming to life.

With three monthly block parties anchored in a national and global celebration of hip hop, season 7 promises to continue the success of last year’s event. With this year’s Block Party taking over 4 different venues and three closed-off streets. over 6,000 attendees are expected, with an estimated $130K+ in sales to local small business vendors.

Attendees this year can expect:

• Two stages with performances & DJs

• Photo opportunity with “Mahal” Jeepney, donated to somA Pilipinas by toro Y moi. the only Jeepney in Northern California!

• This year, the maker of the sPAm® brand will be joining the festival with a special onsite activation featuring tastings of their new sPAm® maple flavored product, in addition to a sPAm®silog Photo Lounge,” and a talkback wall where you can share your recipe ideas, dream collabs, and personal stories with the sPAm® brand team.

• Kid friendly activities including Lego building area and a built-in playground

• 360 Video Booth by Wicked Photobooth & say Ya! Photobooth.

“When we launched Undiscovered sf we knew we wanted to create a different kind of filipino American creative festival. one that spoke to our generation; that reflected our experience of growing up filipino, American, and rooted in Bay Area hip hop culture and creative community. for me, I grew up as a hip hop choreo dancer in san francisco, dancing in parking lots, at the clubs, in dance studios, and in Daly City garages. seeing the community come together for Undiscovered sf brings that same energy out, it’s electric,” shares UNDsCVrD sf co-founder Gina rosales.

According to ‘that’s my Word,’ KQeD’s exploration of Bay Area hip hop history, the year 2023 marks what many accept as the 50th anniversary of hip hop’s birth. hip hop’s roots in the Bay Area can be traced back to the Civil rights, Chicano, and United farmworkers movements of the 1960s and ’70s, the Black Panthers, the third World Liberation front, funk music, and even garage parties in the 80’s and 90’s in south san francisco and Daly City that would inspire the Bay’s filipino American mobile DJ scene.

hip hop organically emerged, not only as an art form but as a vehicle for social justice and cultural empowerment for Black, brown, and other marginalized peoples. Considering that the san francisco Bay Area is home to the second-largest population of the Philippine diaspora in the United states, with over 300,000 filipino residents, it is not hard to see how filipino Americans adopted and adapted hip hop as a form of self-expression. filipinos have been active participants in DJing, breakdancing, graffiti and mCing. fil-Am DJ crew spintronix would later form in the ‘80s, “mix[ing] electrofunk and breakbeats on elaborate, D.I.Y. turntable setups [and] pioneering innovative techniques that foster[ed] a movement of mobile DJ crews and inspire[d] the next generation, including QBert, shortkut and their crew Invisibl skratch Piklz, the flag-bearers of turntablism.”

fast-forward to today and the Bay Area boasts a number of influential filipino American artists today including, ruby Ibarra, rocky rivera, Nump, Bambu, h e r saweetie, P-Lo, Guapdad4000, and toro Y moi.

Details

UNDIsCoVereD sf BLoCK

PArtY – Celebrating 50 Years of hip hop 44 mary st. san francisco (Kapwa Gardens, CAst Building, the Parks at 5m, Balay Kreative). main entrance at 5th and minna street. saturday, Aug 19, 2023 saturday, sept 16, 2023 saturday, oct 21, 2023

All Ages | 12:00pm-6:00pm Pacific standard time | free for more info, please visit undiscoveredsf.com.

Kultivate Labs is a nonprofit economic development and arts organization that creates thriving commercial ecosystems by accelerating businesses that preserve culture and community. the organization provides space and opportunities for the arts to flourish so that commercial activities are activated and reflect the community at large. Kultivate Labs is developing a thriving commercial corridor for somA Pilipinas and Japantown — reconnecting their communities with culture and community, preserving their histories, and revitalizing their economies so that they can live with dignity and self-determination. make it mariko (pronounced mAh-ree-ko) is a san francisco experiential events agency led by women of color that creates magical, meaningful moments for the community. We are experience curators, community activators, corporate planners, nonprofit advocates, and event enthusiasts. We are committed to curating creative, inclusive, and diverse spaces in the events industry, to challenge the status quo, and pave the way for a new generation of event experience curators.

somA Pilipinas is more than a Cultural District: somA Pilipinas is Community-in-Action and a Cultural movement. the cultural heritage district spanning 1.5 square miles honors 120+ history of filipinos in san francisco, and celebrates the community’s living legacy of making home, celebrating culture, building community and fighting for economic and racial justice in the rapidly gentrifying south of market neighborhood. somA Pilipinas is proud to be part of a community-in-action — and a grassroots movement carrying on the legacy of filipinos fighting for recognition and racial equity. n

Jordan Clarkson arrives in Manila to lead Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup. Inquirer.net photo

SHARING

PNA photo by Joan Bondoc

(Denison rey Dalupang/inquirer. net)

Dateline PhiliPPines

‘AFP training in China a slap on our face’

by cecille suerte FeliPe Philstar.com

mANILA — the Armed forces of the Philippines (AfP) has an ongoing military exchange program with China, as confirmed by Defense senior Undersecretary Irineo espino.

even the Philippine National Police Academy is sending cadets to the Beijing military Academy and other training institutions of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

some senators find the situation baffling amid China’s aggression in the south China sea.

senators francis tolentino, raffy tulfo and Jinggoy estrada have agreed that the AfP should explain the program and why the Philippine military Academy

(PmA) stopped accepting cadets from the United states since 2008.

“this is indeed very alarming. this has to be explained. We have not been accepting cadets from our (military) treaty ally while we have been sending (our soldiers) to the country harassing us in the West Philippine sea…

What’s the rationale behind this?

how did this happen?” tolentino said on monday, August 7 during the public hearing of the senate committee on national defense and security on the proposed National Defense Act.

this has to stop. It’s a slap on our face because while China is bullying us, our military could not retaliate,” tulfo said, urging the Department of National Defense to stop the program.

“this is the first time I heard

this… I find it very alarming that we are sending or encouraging our cadets and senior military officers to Beijing,” estrada said. espino said he has yet to validate if PmA cadets were also training in the Chinese military school. only AfP officers with the rank of lieutenant colonel or higher may avail themselves of the yearlong training in Beijing, he noted. “that’s part of Chinese promoting influence globally,” tulfo noted. he believes the program could even allow the PLA to “infiltrate” the Philippine military hierarchy. As for the PmA’s nonacceptance of U.s. cadets since 2008, tolentino said “there must be a reason why they stopped sending cadets from the United states.” n

VP Sara on intel fund: Education intertwined with national security

a FIFA World Cup, men’s

Senate resolution commends

Filipinas for historic FiFa performance

by charie aBarca Inquirer.net

mANILA — the senate adopted on monday, August 7 a resolution congratulating and commending the Philippine Women’s National football team, dubbed as filipinas, for their historic win at the fIfA Women’s World Cup.

senate resolution No. 80, sponsored by senator Pia Cayetano, was adopted during the plenary session

held monday, taking into consideration resolution Nos. 715, 720, and 722.

Cayetano said the team did their best during the 2023 Women’s World Cup. this led to their historic first goal and first win against New Zealand with a full-time score of 1-0 at the Wellington regional stadium last July 25. this triumphant achievement resonates deeply with the filipino people, as it not only

showcases the team’s prowess on the global stage but also symbolizes the resilience and indomitable spirit of the Philippines,” the resolution states.

senate President Juan

miguel Zubiri and senators Joel Villanueva, Alan Peter Cayetano, and ramon revilla also stood up to co-sponsor the resolution. meanwhile, all members of the chamber were named coauthor. n

30 reported deaths due to Typhoon Egay - NDRRMC

by John eric Mendoza Inquirer.net

mANILA — the number or reported deaths linked to typhoon egay has risen to 30 after one more death was reported, according to the National Disaster risk reduction and management Council’s report on monday,

August 7. of the reported deaths, four were confirmed while 26 are still for validation. meanwhile, 171 were injured and 10 remain missing due to the combined effects of egay, typhoon falcon and the southwest monsoon or “habagat”. these weather disturbances

affected 3,249,796 people including 239,258 who were displaced in 551 evacuation centers nationwide.

the typhoons and the habagat” resulted in damage to infrastructure pegged , so far, at P3.6 billion while damage to the agriculture sector was estimated at P3 billion. n

mANILA — Pointing out that the education sector is “intertwined with national security,” Vice President and education secretary sara Duterte on monday, August 7 defended the Department of education (Deped)’s requested P150-million budget for confidential expenses in 2024.

In a chance interview with reporters on the sidelines of the Deped’s Balik Eskwela 2023 national kick-off ceremony at tarlac National high school in tarlac City, Duterte said she is leaving it up to Congress to decide on the Deped’s request, but maintained that the agency needs a confidential fund to play its role in national security.

“Because education is intertwined with national security. Napakahalaga na (it’s very important that) we mold children who are patriotic, children who will love our country and will defend our country,” she said when asked why her agency needs a confidential fund.

the vice president did not give a breakdown on how the Deped intends to use its requested P150-million confidential fund. Instead she said there is already an existing set of guidelines on the fund’s proper use and liquidation. there is a joint memorandum circular with regards to the

confidential fund. It is laid out there how to use the fund and how to liquidate,” Duterte said in english and filipino, apparently referring to Joint Circular No. 2015-01 titled “Guidelines on the entitlement, release, Use, reporting and Audit of Confidential and/or Intelligence funds” dated Jan. 8, 2015.

“And by its nature, it’s a confidential fund, so we cannot discuss how we will use it in operations,” she added. the joint circular was issued by the Department of Budget and management, Commission on Audit, Department of National Defense, Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Governance Commission for Government-owned and Controlled Corporations.

the joint circular states that all allocations under confidential funds and intelligence funds “shall be supported with a physical and financial plan indicating the proposed amount allocated for each program, activity and project, where disbursements pertaining to confidential expenses and intelligence expenses shall be based.”

In an interview with radio dzBB last sunday, August 6, Deped spokesman Undersecretary michael Poa emphasized that the agency’s requested confidential

fund would be used to collect necessary information that would address “illegal recruitment” activities in schools and academic institutions nationwide.

“We must admit that recently, there have been a lot of intel activities, recruitment happening inside our schools ... that is why we need funds to collect the necessary information. the information will be used to formulate and implement targeted projects, activities and programs against these things that pose a risk to our learners and teachers,” Poa said in filipino.

In a statement issued on monday, house Deputy minority Leader and Alliance of Concerned teachers (ACt) party-list rep. france Castro hit the Deped’s plan, saying it would put “under surveillance” students and teachers who are being suspected by the education department to be involved in illegal recruitment.

“Is the Deped now a police or military agency that it is conducting surveillance operations on students and teachers?... It has not even scratched the surface in solving the learning crisis as well as providing adequate classrooms and a substantial salary increase for teachers as well as hire more teachers, and now it is conducting surveillance?” Castro said. n

FILIPINAS AT THE SENATE. The Philippine women’s football team is honored at the Senate on Monday, Aug. 7 for their historic FIFA World Cup stint in New Zealand in late July, highlighted by a 1-0 win over the host nation. Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri and his colleagues handed Resolution No. 80, which commends and congratulates the Filipinas for their phenomenal performance, the Philippines’ first-ever appearance at

and women’s.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Military aggression

Any hostile act of the China Coast Guard against Philippine vessels must therefore be regarded as a military action. And blasting any Philippine Coast Guard vessel with a water cannon within the West Philippine sea cannot be considered a friendly action by the CCG. It is Chinese military aggression conducted within Philippine sovereign waters, as defined under the 2016 arbitral ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the hague – a ruling based on the United Nations Convention on the Law of the sea.

Editorial

on Aug. 5, a CCG ship used a water cannon on PCG vessels escorting civilian boats on a resupply mission to the BrP sierra madre in Ayungin or second thomas shoal. the shoal is one of the features in the south China sea that was specifically mentioned in the arbitral award, over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and exclusive maritime entitlements. the arbitral ruling also

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

from what we hear, the meeting that took place between President ferdinand marcos Jr. and former President rodrigo Duterte last Wednesday, August 2 was very good and cordial, and one of the issues discussed was the recent meeting of former president Duterte with Chinese president Xi Jinping in Beijing last July 17.

President Bongbong had earlier expressed hopes that the meeting between President Xi and the former president would include the recent developments in the West Philippine sea. the president was clever to recognize that the rapport between Xi and his predecessor could be another open line of communication in finding ways to resolve issues in a peaceful manner. It seems the former president is confident enough in his relationship with Xi to ask China to “look kindly to the Philippines” on the WPs issue, as told by senate President migz Zubiri.

Virtual Reality

oN July 27, 2023, two U.s senators, elizabeth Warren (Democrat, massachusetts) and Lindsay Graham (republican, south Carolina) announced a bill seeking to rein in Big tech by creating a Big Cop to regulate the online activities of America’s largest, richest and most powerful technology companies. the companies include: Amazon ($134 billion in second quarter 2023 revenues, up 10 percent, and $6.75 billion in profits, up 433 percent); Apple ($81.8 billion in second quarter revenues, down 1 percent, and $19.88 billion in net, up 2 percent); Alphabet ($74.6 billion in quarterly revenues, up 7 percent, and $18.37 billion in net, up 15 percent); microsoft ($56.19 billion in quarterly revenues, up 8 percent, and $20.08 billion in net, up 20 percent) and meta ($32 billion in quarterly revenues, up 11 percent, and $7.79 billion net, up 16 percent).

In June this year, Apple was the first company to reach a market capitalization of $3

invalidated China’s sweeping ninedash-line claim over nearly the entire south China sea. the Philippines has filed multiple protests againt illegal Chinese Coast Guard activities in the West Philippine sea, including swarming of CCG and militia vessels to block filipino fishing boats, and aiming a powerful laser beam at a PCG ship. so far, Beijing has shrugged off the protests. the latest incident occurred just days after CmC supreme commander Xi Jinping and his top foreign affairs team welcomed former President rodrigo Duterte to Beijing, with the marcos administration kept in the dark about the visit. Despite Duterte’s meeting with President marcos days after the trip, details provided to the media about what transpired with Xi remain vague, except for the reiteration of China’s message of friendship with the Philippines. friends don’t train water cannons at the other’s

ship, especially one on a resupply mission. friends don’t drive away the other’s fishing boats from its own waters. And friends don’t prevent freedom of navigation and flight beyond their domains as defined under international rules.

the Philippines needs to recalibrate its responses to the activities of the CCG, including drawing on its alliances with other countries for a more effective response to Chinese military aggression. (Philstar.com)

Senate Resolution 718: An act of patriotism

While a lot of people agree that continued engagement with China would be helpful, there is no denying the fact that an extremely large percentage of filipinos are angered over the unrelenting harassment by Chinese Coast Guard vessels, shadowing and blocking Philippine Coast Guard ships on supply missions and harassing filipino fishermen who said they feel like thieves in their own territory, chased away and deprived of their livelihood. this is why the adoption of senate resolution 718 principally authored by senate President Zubiri and senator risa hontiveros condemning the continued harassment of filipino fishermen in the West Philippine sea and the persistent incursions by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels reverberates very well and is getting strong support from filipinos.

“We have to show them how angry we are at what they are doing in our territory,” senate President migz said in a recent interview, adding that the senate has to make a stand on issues regarding national

trillion; down to $2.86 trillion in August. Apple sells toys (or gadgets) like iPhones, laptops, tablets and mini speakers. In 2022, with 137,000 employees, Apple reported profits of $99.8 billion, up 5.4 percent from 2021 and up 73 percent from 2020. selling brains and brawn, the Philippines has deployed its best, brightest and most skilled workers abroad, 12 million of them, but made only $32 billion in ofW remittances, 32 percent of Apple’s yearly profits. simply by selling us toys, Apple makes in just four months what the 12 million filipinos earn in one year. our 12 million ofWs sell their blood, sweat, tears and their souls to make a third of what Apple rakes in yearly.

According to The Economist “Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, meta and microsoft lord it over American business. the five firms dominate the s&P 500 stock market index, collectively accounting for 9 percent of its sales, 16 percent of its net profits and 22 percent of its market capitalization. Last year, their capital spending of $360 billion made up over a tenth of all American business investment.”

“It is their sustained growth

sovereignty.

the reckless, unrepentant and continuous incursion of Chinese vessels into the heart of the West Philippine sea strikes at the very core of our nation’s sovereignty, the integrity of our country’s maritime zones and the rights of our people,” senator risa said in her sponsorship speech to an earlier resolution that has been merged with sr 718. the statements of sP migz and senator risa articulate the sentiments of many filipinos who are dismayed at the relentless incursions, harassment and aggression displayed by China despite professions that it wants peace, and the continuing disregard for the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) ruling that there was “no legal basis” for China to claim “historic rights” to resources within the sea areas falling within the socalled nine-dash line. A lot of filipinos see sP migz and senator risa as patriots, so it is no wonder why there is growing admiration for these legislators as evidenced by the results of surveys conducted by independent groups.

UNLIKE the coast guards of the Philippines and other countries, which are civilian agencies, the China Coast Guard is under the command of its Central Military Commission. The CMC, chaired by President Xi Jinping himself, controls all of China’s military branches along with the Rocket Force, the Joint Logistic Support Force and the Strategic Support Force that handles cyber and space security. Unlike civilian coast guards, the CCG is authorized to use lethal force against foreign vessels. Big

that makes them unique in the history of capitalism. When exxonmobil and Ge were the titans of America Inc. in the 1990s and 2000s, their revenues were rising at an average annual rate of 5-6 percent and their net profits at 5-10 percent or so. the tech giants have been growing at 16 percent and 13 percent, respectively, for a decade or more,” adds The Economist

“Investors expect the tech giants, with their deep technological insights and even deeper pockets, to capture the spoils of artificial intelligence (AI). the share prices of Alphabet, Amazon and meta are all climbing back towards their peaks of 2021,” says the magazine.

AI, machines that think, act, talk and solve problems (and lie) like humans, is feared this year as an existential threat to mankind.

Can you imagine machines that lie their way to power and cheating, running the Philippine government?

Asks The Economist: ‘Can anything stop Big Tech?’ the Warren-Graham Digital Consumer Protection Commission Act would create a new federal commission to oversee major technology

In the recent survey conducted by the Institute of Popular opinion of the University of mindanao, senator hontiveros had an 83 percent awareness rating and came out as “the most trusted” senator in Davao City – which is no mean feat considering that she did not win in the city during the may 2022 elections and had a negative 30 trust rating in a June 2022 survey. An independent “Boses ng Bayan” survey released by the rP-mission and Development foundation recently showed senate President migz with an approval rating of 69 percent. Under his leadership, the senate has been getting record high trust and satisfaction ratings.

China’s claims run contrary to the UN Convention on the Law of the sea (UNCLos), the resolution read – which is also what other nations have expressed in their submissions to the United Nations. the resolution urged the government to take appropriate action in asserting and securing the Philippines’ sovereign rights over its exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, and one of the options presented to address China’s

companies operating in the U.s the commission would increase consumer safety, protection and privacy, improve competition and bolster national security. It will have the legal authority to investigate and prosecute misconduct by major technology companies when it comes to violating American’s personal data, privacy and online activity.

the structure, functions and scope of the new Digital Commission would be similar to the federal Communications Commission (fCC) and Nuclear regulatory Commission (NrC), which oversee radio and television outlets and nuclear power production, respectively, in the United states. says senator Graham: “I have heard too many stories from families who feel helpless in the face of Big tech. stories about children being bullied to the point of committing suicide. human trafficking. exploitation of minors. All the while the social media platforms look the other way. today, we take the first step and provide consumers with the tools they need to begin leveling the playing field. A regulatory commission will give consumers a voice against Big tech and the power to punish them when appropriate.

incursions is the filing of a resolution before the UN General Assembly (UNGA) calling on the cessation of all activities that harass Philippine vessels.

As reiterated by former supreme Court senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, who was a key figure in the maritime case filed at the PCA against China, the “locus of world opinion is the UNGA.” No country would like to be considered an outcast in the community of nations, which is why if one wants to influence world opinion, the UNGA is where you start, he said.

the Philippines is also open to working together with like-minded nations – even those that have overlapping maritime claims – to ensure maritime peace and security. the Philippines and Vietnam signed a strategic partnership agreement in 2016 covering several fronts, including defense and maritime security. Both are now stepping up cooperation amid growing security threats in the region, recognizing that disputes must be managed and resolved peacefully in accordance with

the creation of a regulatory commission to oversee Big tech is the first step in a long journey to protect American consumers from the massive power these companies currently wield.” for too long, giant tech companies have exploited consumers’ data, invaded Americans’ privacy, threatened our national security and engaged in anti-competitive practices that hurt our economy,” adds Warren. “reining in Big tech is a top priority on both sides of the aisle.”

In an essay published in The New York Times, Graham and Warren write:

“Digital innovation has had a dark side. Giant digital platforms have provided new avenues of proliferation for the sexual abuse and exploitation of children, human trafficking, drug trafficking and bullying and have promoted eating disorders, addictive behaviors and teen suicide. Parents like Kristin Bride, whose teenage son killed himself after being mercilessly cyberbullied, have shared heartbreaking stories with Congress and the public about the potentially deadly consequences.”

“A few Big tech companies generate a majority of the

international law, including the UNCLos and the 2016 PCA ruling. Both also want to speed up the creation of an effective Code of Conduct, which is still the best option to reduce the risk of conflict in the south China sea.

the Philippines and Indonesia also have a 2014 “delimitation agreement” that took effect in 2019. In october 2022, both countries signed the principles and guidelines outlining their continental shelf boundaries since both have overlapping exclusive economic zones. President marcos described the agreement with Indonesia as a template that can be presented to the AseAN and can also be done with other nations. When all is said and done, we must continue to hope that issues with China will still be resolved in a peaceful manner – as civilized nations should. (Philstar.com)

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

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

world’s internet traffic and essentially control nearly every aspect of Americans’ digital lives. Platforms are protected from legal liability in many of their decisions, so they operate without accountability.

“Big tech companies have far too much unrestrained power over our economy, our society and our democracy.

“Google uses its search engine to give preference to its own products. Amazon sucks up information from small businesses that offer products for sale on its platform, then uses that information to run its own competing businesses.

“Apple forces entrepreneurs (and thereby consumers) to pay crushing commissions to use its App store. A few Big tech companies stifle all competition before it poses any serious threat.

“Big tech companies vacuum up our personal data, often with little care for whether their practices are responsible or even legal.” (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * * Email: biznewsasia@gmail.com

DFa warns vs fake e-visa websites

by Bernadette e taMayo ManilaTimes.net

the Department of foreign Affairs (DfA) on monday, August 7 warned the public against spurious websites claiming to facilitate the issuance of Philippine electronic visas.

the DfA will soft-launch the Philippine e-visa system in Philippine foreign service posts in China on August 24.

"It has been reported that an active website containing misinformation on the e-visa and other regulations is being circulated," the DfA said in a statement.

the department clarified that the information on the e-visa "will only be published through its official channels."

the Philippine e-visa system is being developed and refined in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications technology (DICt).

the DfA and DICt have been closely coordinating the development of the e-visa system since December 2022.

the DfA earlier said that the Philippines' very first e-visa was in line with the directives of President ferdinand marcos Jr., "to facilitate the ease in doing

business and reinvigorate the country's tourism industry."

the issuance of e-visas aims to support the thrust of the Department of tourism in augmenting tourism arrivals.

the Philippine e-visa will allow foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitors' visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops and mobile device.

the efficient and user-friendly e-visa service is expected to contribute to the Philippine government's thrust to promote tourism and business mobility," it added. n

Stronger balikbayan box security sought

by evelyn Macairan Philstar.com

mANILA — the office of the President and the Presidential Anti-organized Crime Commission (PAoCC) are partnering with the Bureau of Customs (BoC) to provide additional layers of security to prevent the loss or theft of balikbayan boxes.

In a statement sunday, August 6 the BoC said that its Internal Administration Group acting deputy commissioner michael fermin met with executive secretary Lucas

Bersamin and PAoCC Undersecretary Gilberto Cruz at malacañang on Aug. 3. fermin reported that the BoC has filed 11 criminal complaints against unscrupulous freight forwarding companies involved in the balikbayan box scheme. the BoC succeeded in releasing 36 containers of abandoned consolidated shipments comprising 9,689 boxes, he added. A joint memorandum of agreement to streamline processes, enhance coordination and fortify efforts in safeguarding balikbayan boxes sent by

overseas filipino workers is also being finalized by the BoC. signatories to this memorandum are the PAoCC, Department of foreign Affairs, Department of trade and Industry, Department of migrant Workers, forwarders and other stakeholders.

A Customs memorandum order is also being drafted for the registration of deconsolidators along with the payment of a P2million performance bond, which would ensure that responsible parties are held accountable and the handling of balikbayan boxes is careful and efficient. n

Theatreworks Silicon Valley presents readings of future theatre hits at 20th anniversary New Works Festival

PALo ALto – hundreds of lovers of new theatre will gather this August for an advance look at tomorrow’s hits at theatreWorks silicon Valley’s 20th Anniversary New Works festival. this unique festival returns to Palo Alto’s Lucie stern theatre with its extraordinary opportunity for audiences to experience new plays and musicals in their early stages of development and see their evolution over multiple performances.

this year’s offerings range from a rollicking musical comedy about scandals and murder in a senior living community, to an aromatic dark comedy that includes on-stage cooking and shares recipes and bites with the audience; a drama that explores sibling conflict, family legacies, and another treasured recipe; and a globe-trotting solo show with music by a seasoned film and television actor. the festival will kick off with a dinner and conversation with nationally-acclaimed playwrights David henry hwang and rajiv Joseph. Later in the festival, actor/activist shakina (NBC’s “Connecting,” NBC’s “Quantum Leap,” hulu’s “Difficult People”) will perform. the popular festival runs August 11-20, 2023 at the Lucie stern theatre, 1305 middlefield rd., Palo Alto. festival passes ($60 general) and single event tickets ($20) can be purchased online at theatreworks.org or by calling (650) 463-1960. the kickoff dinner and shakina performance are fundraisers with special event pricing ($50-$325).

“since its inception, theatreWorks has served as a silicon Valley incubator, fostering new plays on their journeys to become the theatrical favorites of the future,” said Giovanna

sardelli, theatreWorks Artistic Associate and Director of New Works. “this summer, I’m delighted to welcome many remarkable artists to theatreWorks for this time-honored tradition. this year’s festival will serve as a celebration of our tony recipient company’s bright and glorious future while honoring our two decades of providing this space for the next generation of creative talents to flourish.” the festival lineup is as fol-

lows:

readings:

• Happy Pleasant Valley: A Senior Sex Scandal Murder

Mystery Musical Book, music, and Lyrics by min Kahng

Directed by Jeffrey Lo music direction by William Liberatore supported by theatreWorks silicon Valley Commissioning

fund

8/12 @ 8 p.m. • 8/16 @ 7 p.m. • 8/19 @ 8 p.m.

Vlogger “self-made” Jade Kim is in hot water for making ageist remarks on her channel. When she learns that her grandmother June is about to get kicked out of happy Pleasant Valley senior Apartments, Jade gladly comes to the rescue…while of course recording and broadcasting her heroine-ism to burnish her own reputation. What Jade doesn’t count on is the cause of June’s eviction threat: her “active-living” sex life, which seems to be killing the men she sleeps with. June swears that she and her libido are being framed, and enlists Jade’s help in tracking down the real murderer.

“happy Pleasant Valley” seeks to explode the myth that the enjoyment of sex stops after a certain age, and will explore themes of generation gaps, ageism, and finding con-

nection and relevance in the digital age – all with a little bit of good old-fashioned murder thrown in.

“happy Pleasant Valley: A senior sex scandal murder mystery musical” is the recipient of a Kurjan/Butler commission from theatreWorks silicon Valley (tim Bond, Artistic Director; Debbie Chinn, executive Director; and Giovanna sardelli, Director of New Works).

min Kahng (Book, music, & Lyrics, he/him) is an award-winning playwright, composer, lyricist and creative coach whose works include ”the four Immigrants: An American musical manga,” which debuted in theatreWorks’ 2016 New Works festival and received a hit production at theatreWorks in 2017 that won seven san francisco Bay Area theatre Critics Circle Awards, including entire Production-Bay Area. Kahng’s other works include ”Where the mountain meets the moon,” “Jin vs. the Beach,” “GoLD: the midas musical,” and “the Adventures of honey & Leon.” Kahng is macDowell fellow, a travis Bogard fellow, and an alumnus of the Playwrights foundation resident Initiative, Berkeley repertory theatre’s Ground floor, and Djerassi resident Artists Program. Kahng is an NeA Grant recipient, a Jonathan Larson Grant finalist, a richard rodgers Award finalist, and a Dramatists Guild committee member.

Jeffrey Lo (Director, he/ him) is a filipino-American playwright and director who helmed theatreWorks silicon Valley’s productions of “Little shop of horrors,” “the Language Archive,” and ”the santaland Diaries.” he is the recipient of

the Leigh Weimers emerging Artist Award, the emerging Artist Laureate by Arts Council silicon Valley, and theatre Bay Area Director's tItAN Award. his plays have been produced and workshopped at theatreWorks, Berkeley repertory theatre, the Bindlestiff studio, City Lights theater Company, and Custom made theatre Company. Directing credits include works at san francisco Playhouse, Center repertory Company, Capital stage, hillbarn theatre, Los Altos stage Company, Palo Alto Players. Lo is a company member of ferocious Lotus theatre Company and san francisco francisco Playground, and is the Casting Director/Literary manager at theatreWorks silicon Valley. William Liberatore (music Director, he/him) is theatreWorks’ resident musical Director and has worked as a Choir Director at Gunn high school for more than thirty years. Liberatore has conducted more than forty shows at theatreWorks, including the World Premieres of “Pride and Prejudice,” “the Prince of egypt,” and the four Immigrants: An American musical manga,” as well as hit productions of “Little shop of horrors,” “sense and sensibility,” “tuck everlasting,” “fun home,” “rags,” the Life of the Party,” “sweeney todd,” “once on this Island (tBA Award),” “Crowns,” “ragtime,” and “Pacific overtures.” he has been a frequent recipient of the san francisco Bay Area theatre Critics Circle Award for Best musical Direction.

• Nerve

By minita Gandhi

8/13 @ 3 p.m. • 8/19 @ 3 p.m.

Jyoti, a recent widow with ailing health, finds the future of her well-being in her daughters’ hands. A multigenerational and multicultural journey that explores the legacy and the love language of food, “Nerve” is a dark comedy is meant to be an aromatic and visceral experience, with the recipes being shared and cooked on stage, as well as served to the audience.

minita Gandhi (Playwright, she/they) is a Los Angeles-based artist who was born in mumbai, India. Gandhi’s plays include “muthaland” which premiered at 16th street theatre, and was featured at oregon shakespeare festival for CAAtA, florida studio theater, Victory Gardens theater, silk road rising, and PCPA theaterWorks. “Daal” and “Duty and the sun and all its sighs” were featured in the American Blues theater’s ripped festival. “Nerve” was originally developed at the Ground floor writing residency at Berkeley repertory theatre in collaboration with her mother Jyotsna Gandhi. Gandhi is a 2022 NYsAf Pfaelzer Award finalist, and is currently working on an opera commission as a member of minnesota opera Company’s New Works cohort.

• Madeleines Written by Bess Welden

Directed by Leslie martinson

8/17 @ 7 p.m. • 8/20 @ 3 p.m. 2022 Winner of the National Jewish Playwriting Contest

Debra, a struggling food writer, has returned to her childhood home in ohio’s rust belt to care for her declining mother rose, an exacting cookie baker. When Debra's very successful older sister arrives for rose's funeral, shared memories and old sibling grievances boil to the surface. As the sisters confront their loss, a startling secret about their mother’s most-treasured Passover recipe emerges, which changes everything they thought they knew about their family. spiced with poetry and smatterings of Yiddish and spanish, “madeleines” tells the story of a family of Jewish women grappling with how to love each other through haunted pasts, shared grief, and the solace of baking together.

Bess Welden (Playwright,

she/her) won the 2022 National Jewish Playwriting Contest with her play “madeleines,” which was also a finalist for the 2021 Bay Area Playwrights festival. “Death Wings,” her play with songs, won the 2020 maine state Prize of the Clauder Competition for New england Playwrights and was recently produced at the theater Project and meetinghouse Arts in maine. A finalist in the 2020 National Jewish Playwriting Contest, her play “refuge malja” premiered at Portland stage Company in 2018. she has toured extensively with her solo comedies “Passion of the hausfrau” and “Big mouth thunder thighs.” Welden was a 2022 Creative Community fellow with National Arts strategies.

Leslie martinson (Director, she/her) is theatreWorks’ former Associate Artistic Director, and served as a director and administrator at theatreWorks for over thirty years. she has directed many hit productions at theatreWorks, including “the 39 steps”; “frost/ Nixon”; “the four Immigrants: An American musical manga,” for which she received the san francisco Bay Area theatre Critics Circle Award for Direction; as well as “Calligraphy,” “Proof,” “Water by the spoonful,” “Warrior Class,” the regional Premiere of “time stands still,” the 2012 West Coast Premiere of “the Pitmen Painters,” and the company’s acclaimed 2010 production of superior Donuts.” martinson was a member of Lincoln Center Directors’ Lab, a member of the La mama International Directing symposium, and has served on theatre Bay Area's theatre services Committee. In 2009, she was awarded an Individual Artist fellowship in stage Direction from the Arts Council of silicon Valley for artistic achievement and community impact.

• Low Expectations

By michael Gaston

Directed by Giovanna sardelli music Direction by Daniel Pearce 8/15 @ 7 p.m. • 8/19 @ 12 p.m.

In 2009, actor michael Gaston was encouraged by his boss to write about his family. so, he did. slowly. thirteen years later, he produced two pieces, a monologue and a short story, and wove them into a play. the monologue is all true. the short story is not. the true story starts with one relative’s Union Army service, then another’s immigration to America from Belfast during the Great Depression, then heads to tulsa, hollywood, New York City, and finishes in the foothills of the sierra Nevadas. the short story starts in Northern California and stays there. Both are about a lot of things, a whole lot of things, but, mostly, they’re about the measurable healing power of empathy,

michael Gaston (Playwright and Performer, he/him) is a film, television, and theatre actor. he has appeared in the films including “Bridge of spies,” “W,” “Inception,” “sudden Death,” “ransom,” “first reformed,” “Cop Land,” thirteen Days,” “Double Jeopardy,” high Crimes,” sugar,” “Body of Lies,” and “the Crucible.” his tV credits include “Chicago P.D.,” “the man in the high Castle,” “Jack ryan,” “madam secretary,” “the Good Wife,” “the Leftovers,” “Unforgettable,” “Jericho,” “Blind Justice,” “24,” for Life,” “Blindspot,” “five Days at memorial,” “fleishman is in trouble,” “mayor of Kingstown,” “the mentalist,” fringe,” and “Prison Break.” he performed on Broadway in “Lucky Guy” and “A Day in the Death of Joe egg,” and has appeared onstage at the Public theater, Playwrights horizons, and New York shakespeare festival.

Giovanna sardelli (Director, she/her) recently directed the World Premiere of Kareem fahmy’s “A Distinct society for theatreWorks and Pioneer theatre Company. she will direct the West Coast Premiere of mrs. Christie in theatreWorks’ 2023-24 season, scheduled to perform october 4-29, 2023.

Daniel Pearce (music Director and original score, he/ him) is an actor, musician, and visual artist. he appeared on Broadway in “the 25th Annual Putnam County spelling Bee” and “machinal,” and has performed with the Public theater, Long Wharf theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Actors theatre of Louisville, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, mcCarter theatre Center, and Geva theatre Center. his film and tV credits include salt,” “Godzilla,” “the Last thing mary saw,” the Good fight,” “Law & order,” “Criminal Intent,” and “All my Children.” he received the Lunt-fontanne fellowship for excellence in acting.

special events:

• Before The Ink Dries: A Special Theatreworks Fundraiser with David Henry Hwang and Rajiv Joseph 8/11 @ 6 p.m. separate admission required: $325 for dinner and event; $75 for event only.

theatreWorks silicon Valley will kick off its 20th Anniversary New Works festival with “Before the Ink Dries: A special theatreWorks fundraiser with David henry hwang and rajiv Joseph.” featuring a dinner and onstage event, this one-night-only benefit offers an exclusive opportunity to

Tony Award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang

Photo by Matthew Murray

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will present its 20th Anniversary New Works Festival at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto August 11-20, 2023.

Photo by Mark Kitaoka

Filipino American playwright and director Jeffrey Lo

Photo by Tasi Alabastro

Award-winning playwright, composer, and lyricist Min Kahng Photo by Faryn Borella TheatreWorks Silicon Valley will present its 20th Anniversary New Works Festival at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto August 11-20, 2023.

Seen here, the cast from the musical “Norman Rockwell’s America” in a previous New Works Festival.

Photo by Kevin Berne

Works Festival.

Photo by Kevin Berne

Actor/writer Minita Ghandi Photo by Bjoern Kommerel

Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph

Photo by Rohit Chandra

kindness, and love. With the help of director Giovanna sardelli and an original score written and performed live by Daniel Pearce, Gaston brings these stories together with “Low expectations.”

Success story: A terminated case is reinstated and visa issued, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday

JosePh was petitioned by his mother in 2007 and waited 12 long years for his Nanay Pilar’s petition to become current. Unfortunately, Joseph was in Zurich, switzerland, for work and was unable to attend his embas-

sy interview in April 2019.

Despite Joseph’s attempt to contact the National Visa Center to reschedule his interview date, he received a termination letter, where the embassy said Joseph failed to contact them within the

allotted one-year period, and his file had now been destroyed.

Joseph consulted with the Law offices of michael Gurfinkel to get his case back on track. After writing to the embassy, arguing PAGE 10

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(Advertising Supplement)

sAN frANCIsCo — on its third year of partnership with Pacific Gas and electric Company (PG&e), the Philippine American Press Club (PAPC)-UsA invites customers to a virtual town hall (“hindi ka nag-iisa tungkol sa mabilis kumalat na sunog”) to share the latest updates on wildfire prevention work, safety resources and connect customers with the PG&e team. on thursday, August 24, 2023, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., PG&e safety experts will provide a brief presentation, during which attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions. the event can be accessed through the link below, by phone, or through PG&e’s website, pge. com/webinars.

During the webinar event, customers can learn about wildfire safety improvements, hear about resources available to support them, and connect with PG&e experts.

moderator for this taglish webinar is regina Venzon, chief of

staff to the Chief operating offi-

cer. ms. Vinzon is a graduate of Cambridge University school of Law. she is also an alumna of the University of the Philippines. she was born and raised in the Philippines and lived in sydney, Australia for 15 years before moving to California in December 2019. she will be joined by fiona Chan, senior Director, Project management office at PG&e and her team.

Joseph Peralta, president of the Philippine American Press Club as well as vice president and general manager for the Northern California bureau of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. and PAPC board memnvr and Plaridel Awards chair, esther misa Chavez, lead the way for this partnership. more information and resources to help you and your family prepare for and stay safe in the event of an emergency can be found at safetyactioncenter.pge. com.

Virtual town hall details

What: taglish webinar on wild-

fire (open to all tagalog-speaking PG&e customers in Northern California)

Date: August 24, 2023

time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Link: https://bit.ly/PGeWildfireWebinartaglish meeting ID: 875 3317 1167

Passcode: taglish established in 1988, PAPC was founded by former members of the National Press Club of the Philippines who had immigrated to the san francisco Bay Area and saw the need for Us based filipino- American media group. All fierce advocates for truth, fairness, and excellence in journalism, they realized the vital role of media education and advocacy for the fast-growing filipino population. they represented a small but influential set of local filipino publications and broadcasters such as ABs-CBN, Asian Journal, Philippines News today, GmA7, Inquirer.net, Phil-Am Post, and Positively filipino, radiant View, and easterworks media. (Advertising Supplement)

Theatreworks Silicon Valley presents...

share dinner, drinks, and behind-the-scenes insights with two of America’s most fascinating contemporary playwrights: tony Award winner David henry hwang and obie Award winner rajiv Joseph. Proceeds from this event will support theatreWorks in its continued missions of supporting the development of new theatre and bringing the arts to Bay Area audiences.

Sky River Casino announces plans for ‘The Humidor,’ an all-new bourbon & cigar lounge

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(Advertising Supplement)

David henry hwang (Playwright) is a tony Award winner (and three-time nominee), a three-time oBIe Award winner, a Grammy Award winner (and two-time nominee), and a three-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. his stage work includes the plays “m Butterfly” (theatreWorks 1992 & 2006), “Chinglish,” “Yellow face” (theatreWorks 2009), “Golden Child,” “the Dance and the railroad,” and “foB,” as well as the Broadway musicals “Aida,” flower Drum song” (2002 revival) and Disney’s “tarzan.” his screenplays include “m. Butterfly,” and he is currently penning the live-action feature musical remake of Disney’s “the hunchback of Notre Dame” as well as an Anna may Wong biopic to star actress Gemma Chan. for television, he was a Writer/Consulting Producer for the Golden Globe-winning television series “the Affair” and is now creating two television series, “Billion Dollar Whale” for Westward/sKG and another for Netflix. Called America’s most-produced living opera librettist, he has written thirteen libretti, including five with composer Philip Glass, as well as Dream of the red Chamber with Bright sheng, twice presented to acclaim and sold-out houses at san francisco opera. he co-wrote the Gold record-winning “solo” with the late pop music icon Prince. A professor at Columbia University school of the Arts, hwang is a trustee of the American theatre Wing, where he served as Chair, and sits on the Council of the Dramatist Guild. recent honors include his 2022 induction onto the Lucille Lortel Playwrights’ sidewalk and his 2021 induction into the American Academy of Arts and sciences. his musical “soft Power,” a collaboration with composer Jeanine tesori, opened in New York at the Public theatre, where it received a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best musical theatre Album and was a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize in Drama.

include “Archduke” (which made its Northern California Premiere at theatreWorks in 2019), “the Lake effect” (theatreWorks 2015), the North Pool” (theatreWorks 2011), “Gruesome Playground

Injuries,” “the monster at the Door,” “Animals out of Paper,” and “mr. Wolf.” Joseph has been awarded artistic grants from the Whiting foundation, United states Artists, and the harold & mimi steinberg Charitable trust. he received his BA in Creative Writing from miami University and his mfA in Dramatic Writing from New York University's tisch school of the Arts. his newest play King James about basketball star Lebron James made its World Premiere at steppenwolf theatre Company and recently opened off-Broadway at New York City Center stage.

• Songs and Stories with Shakina: A Musical Theatreworks Fundraiser and Party 8/18 @ 7 p.m.

separate admission required: $150 for show and after-party; $50 for show.

Known for creating and fostering bold new work, actor and transgender activist shakina (NBC’s “Connecting,”

NBC’s “Quantum Leap,” hulu’s “Difficult People”) will dazzle festival audiences with a special performance premiering never-before-heard songs from her brand-new musical, followed by an electrifying after-party.

Success story: A terminated case is...

for Joseph’s eligibility, Atty. Gurfinkel convinced the embassy to reinstate the case. Joseph’s new interview was scheduled in march 2022, and Joseph’s visa was issued, to the joy of Nanay Pilar, who was finally reunited with her son after such a long time.

Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on sunday, August 13 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)

rajiv Joseph came to national attention when his celebrated hit “Bengal tiger at the Baghdad Zoo” became a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and received an outstanding New American Play Award from the National endowment for the Arts. With direction by moisés Kaufman, “Bengal tiger” was a sensational hit at the Kirk Douglas theatre in Los Angeles in 2009 and moved to the mark taper forum in 2010 where the New York times described it as a “boldly imagined, harrowing and surprisingly funny drama.” the show made its Broadway debut starring robin Williams in march 2011. seen in theatreWorks’ 2014 New Works festival, Joseph’s play “Describe the Night” won the 2018 obie Award for Best New American Play for its production at Atlantic theatre Company helmed by Giovanna sardelli. his play “Guards at the taj” was a 2016 obie Winner for Best New American Play and 2016 Lucille Lortel Winner for Best Play. other plays

shakina made television history on NBC’s “Connecting…” as the first transgender person to play a series regular on a network sitcom, and she is currently a writer and director on NBC’s “Quantum Leap.” shakina can also be seen guest starring in Amazon’s GLAAD Award-Winning “transparent” musical finale, which she helped write and produce, and hulu’s “Difficult People” as the iconic trans truther, Lola. her play Chonburi International hotel and Butterfly Club premiered on Audible in 2020 in collaboration with Williamstown theatre festival and was recognized with a 2021 Drama League Award for Best Audio theatre Production. she is the founding Artistic Director of musical theatre factory, where she helped to develop hundreds of new musicals including michael r. Jackson’s tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning A strange Loop and her own autobiographical glam rock odyssey, manifest Pussy. recognitions include the Lilly Award for Working miracles, theatre resources Unlimited humanitarian Award, the Kilroys List, Logo 30, and twotime Drama League fellow and two-time oUt 100 honoree.

• Meet The Artists 8/20 @ 12 p.m.

Included in festival Pass; $20 single tickets the festival’s featured playwrights and composers share their anecdotes and insights into creating brave new works for American theatre. Audiences are invited to bring questions and become a part of the conversation with writers who are shaping the theatre. this conversation will be moderated by theatreWorks Casting Director/ Literary manager Jeffrey Lo.

theatreWorks silicon Valley’s New Works festival has launched many new works onto theatreWorks’ main stage and to national productions, including Broadway’s tony Award-winning Best musical “memphis” and the 2018 obie Award winner for Best New American Play, ra-

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jiv Joseph’s “Describe the Night.” the festival has given playgoers their first looks at new works by such luminaries as Andrew Lippa, stephen schwartz, Wendy Wasserstein, marsha Norman, Christopher Chen, rachel sheinkin, David hein and Irene sankoff, rajiv Joseph, Duncan sheik, rogelio martinez, Kimber Lee, Joe DiPietro, rehana Lew mirza, and many more. theatreWorks’ Artistic Associate and Director of New Works Giovanna sardelli has directed and developed plays throughout the country. sardelli’s many directing credits at theatreWorks include this season’s “A Distinct society”; as well as the World Premiere of “Nan and the Lower Body” (2022), “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live radio Play” (2021), the Northern California Premiere of they Promised her the moon” (2020), Pulitzer Prize finalist rajiv Joseph’s “Archduke” (2019), fINKs (2018), the Velocity of Autumn” and “Crimes of the heart” (2016), Joseph’s “the Lake effect” (2015), somewhere by matthew Lopez” (2013), and the World Premiere of Joseph’s the North Pool” (2011). she is an award-winning director who has worked on numerous plays by rajiv Joseph including the World Premiere of “Archduke” (mark taper forum) and “Guards at the taj” (Geffen Playhouse; 2016 ovation Award for Best Production of a Play) and the World Premiere of the obie Award-winning play “Describe the Night” (2014 New Works festival, Alley theatre, Atlantic theater Company in NYC). she has directed World Premieres of plays by theresa rebeck, Lynn rosen, Joe Gilford, Jeff Augustine, Lauren Yee, Zayd Dohrn, melissa ross, Lila rose Kaplan, matthew Lopez, and Zoe Kazan, among others. sardelli directed “marvel’s squirrel Girl: the Unbeatable radio show!,” a podcast series by marvel entertainment and sirius Xm sardelli will direct the West Coast Premiere of mrs. Christie” in theatreWorks’ 2023-24 season, scheduled to perform october 4-29, 2023. theatreWorks silicon Valley, led by Artistic Director tim Bond and executive Director Debbie Chinn, presents a wide variety of contemporary plays and musicals, revitalizes great works of the past, and serves more than 100,000 patrons per year. founded in 1970 by robert Kelley, theatreWorks has grown from a truly original silicon Valley start-up to become one of the nation’s leading professional non-profit theatre companies. theatreWorks was honored as the recipient of the 2019 regional theatre tony Award. theatreWorks also champions new work, offering artists support and a creative home as they develop new stories for the American theatre. offstage, theatreWorks’ arts education programs in local schools and arts engagement programs in silicon Valley neighborhoods uplift its audiences and strengthen community bonds. onstage and off, theatreWorks welcomes the mosaic of people that embody the Bay Area and beyond, celebrating the transformative power of theatre to ignite imagination, inspire conversation, and enliven our souls. media sponsor for theatreWorks silicon Valley’s 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons is san francisco Chronicle.

Construction will begin soon with planned opening for newest on-site offering expected later this year

CONSUL GENERAL FERRER MEETS TOP OFFICERS OF PNANC. Consul General Neil Ferrer met with the top brass of the Philippine Nursing Association of Northern California (PNANC) at the Philippine Center in San Francisco’s Romulo Hall on August 3, 2023. Joining the meeting were Deputy Consul General Raquel Solano and Vice Consul Adrian Baccay. During the meeting with current president Igor Mocorro, incoming president Lourdes Moldre and past Presidents Marife Sevilla & Emily Danuco, Consul General Ferrer and PNANC officers discussed possible areas of collaboration that will advance the welfare of Filipino nurses and Filipino American communities in the states under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. San Francisco PCG photo

Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right) was able to reinstate Joseph’s (left) terminated case on an encore episode of Citizen Pinoy. With them is Joseph’s Nanay Pilar.