were later seized in the raid. Tupas said she had already left the party when the arrests happened. Vice President Duterte has distanced herself from the complaints that Tupas filed. "I have never filed a libel case in my life. Criticisms do not deserve even a backward glance because the accomplishments of Davao City under my leadership are already set in stone," she said last week.
The unemployment rate in Vietnam was 2.5 percent in June; Malaysia, 3.9 percent in May; China, 5.6 percent in March; and Indonesia, 5.8 percent in February, Neda’s report showed. Economic reopening Among families, poverty incidence inched up to 13.2 percent of households in 2021 from 12.1 percent in 2018, although still below the 18 percent in 2015. This meant the number of poor Filipino households increased to 3.5 million last year from 2018’s threeWhilemillion.the PSA has yet to release sectoral poverty statistics, National Statistician Dennis Mapa told a press briefing that farmers and fisherfolk were historically among the poorest of the poor in the country. Mapa said it did not help that entrepreneurial activities and cash receipts from abroad— among the top sources of Filipino families’ incomes—were the most badly hit by the hard times caused by the pandemic. Thousands of small local businesses had been shuttered by the most stringent lockdowns at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. The COVID-19 crisis also temporarily stopped the deployment of overseas Filipino workers, while hundreds of thousands of them lost their jobs and returned home due to a globalMaparecession.nonetheless said domestic cash remittances— mostly dole-outs from the government—kept many households afloat last year. He said the government would now monitor poverty statistics every two years, with the next survey slated in 2023, unlike before when it was conducted every three years. For Neda, “the full reopening of the economy needs to be prioritized to steer the economy back to its high-growth path and reinvigorate job creation.” g
PAGE 1 REAL ID enforcement date now 9 months...
started serviceits onlineencouragesrequirebases.federalUnitedcard,driver’sapprovedpassportSecurityU.S.withdriver’smonth.popularyear,licensean476,000theit“AppointmentsreasontowilldescriptiontheirCaliforniansIDCustomersat REALID.dmv.ca.gov.renewingaREALmayqualifytodosoonline.whoarechangingaddressorpersonalatthetimeofrenewalneedtorenewinperson. “IfyouthinkyouaregoingneedaREALID,thereisnotowait,”remindsGordon.areavailable,andonlytakesafewminutestofinishprocessataDMVoffice.” AccordingtoDMVrecords,CalifornianscelebratingAugustbirthdayhaveaupforrenewalthismakingAugustthemostdriver’slicenserenewalNovemberhasthefewestlicensesupforrenewal381,000.BeginningnextMay,theDepartmentofHomelandwillrequireavalidorother federallydocument, aREALIDlicenseoridentificationtoboardflightswithintheStatesandaccesssecurefacilitiesandmilitaryMostDMVtasksdonotanofficevisit.TheDMVcustomerstouseservices andotherchannelstocomplete transactions, including vehicle registration renewals. Customers can also use the Service Advisor on the DMV website to learn their options to complete DMV business. g
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Walden Bello seeks DOJ review of cyber...
“But deep inside, I know he tells the truth. The price of everything has gone up. And because he has lost his job during the pandemic, Jerry stays at home to take care of the children. I know he feels ashamed. But my borrowings are now at P40,000. And I can never send enough back home,” Rosalyn said, her voice breaking. Rosalyn and her family are among the 2.3 million Filipinos who joined the ranks of the poor because of the lingering COVID-19Preliminarypandemic.results of the family income and expenditure survey for 2021 released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on Monday showed that the poverty rate had worsened to 18.8 percent from 16.7 percent in 2018.This translates to 19.99 million Filipinos who are living below the poverty line, or those making less than P12,030 a month for a family of five. In 2018, the last time the survey was made, there were 17.67 million Filipinos living below the poverty threshold of P10,481 a month. The poverty rate was worse in 2015 at 23.5 percent, or the equivalent of 23.68 million poor Filipinos. Unemployment The poverty threshold is the minimum income needed to meet the basic food and nonfood needs such as clothing, fuel, light and water, housing, transportation and communication, and health and education expenses. “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including income and employment losses, caused the poverty incidence to rise. Restrictions on mobility and low earning capacity of poor households due to limited access to regular and productive jobs made the lives of Filipinos difficult,” said Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, who heads the state planning agency National Economic and Development Authority (Neda). “We do know that we have a tough road ahead, but we are already prepared to face these challenges head-on. Our poverty reduction efforts will focus on three main areas: full reopening of the economy; more investments in human capital, social development, and social protection, and transformation of the production sectors to generate more and quality jobs and competitive products,” Balisacan said. “Social protection programs and services must effectively reach and empower them,” Sen. Grace Poe added on Monday. The senator said improving employment opportunities for Filipinos would be critical, particularly in the agriculture sector, as the pandemic forced many companies to close down. She said the passage of the Public Service Act, which allowed foreign ownership of companies in telecommunication, airlines and railways, would definitely help in generating jobs. She also noted that the government should let drivers of public utility vehicles return to their routes “as they have waited for too long without income.”
AUGUST 17-19, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-97972
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SCHOOL PREPS. Two teachers, with one bringing along her daughter, paint the wall of a classroom as part of preparations for the upcoming school year at Dr. Jose P. Rizal Elementary School in Barangay Sto. Cristo, Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Tuesday, August 16. The annual weeklong “Brigada Eskwela” has started to prepare schools for the resumption of classes in public elementary and high schools on August 22. PNA photo by Gil Calinga
Pandemic pushes 2.3-M Filipinos into...
“The commuters need them, especially the millions of students who will return to schools next week,” she stressed.Despite recent employment gains due to the reopening of more economic sectors, the Philippines’ latest jobless rate in June of 6 percent, equivalent to 2.99 million Filipinos, was still the second-worst in emerging Asia.“The unemployment rate in the Philippines remains one of the highest among major Asian economies, though much lower than that of India,” Neda noted in a report issued on Monday. India’s jobless rate in June was 7.8 percent.
Bello's arrest has raised concerns over freedom of expression and dissent in the Philippines, where libel has historically been used to silence and harass critical voices. (Philstar.com)
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ROSAMOND, Calif. — Deborah Lewis rose from bed before dawn and signed in to her phone so she could begin delivering fast food, coffee, and groceries to residents in this western patch of the Mojave Desert where test pilot Chuck Yeager broke the sound barrier generations ago. Lewis prayed she would earn $75, just enough to fill the tank of her Kia sedan so she could drive her 8-year-old daughter, Annabelle, 80 miles south to Los Angeles to receive her weekly chemotherapy treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Just a year ago, the same tank of gas would have cost $30 less. After a full shift as a gig worker, the mother had earned close to what she needed. “It took a lot longer than I thought,” she said. High inflation is hitting families across the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, consumer prices in July were up 8.5% from a year earlier, one of the biggest increases in recent decades. The Bureau of Economic Analysis found that consumers are spending the most on housing and utilities, food, and medicalOverallcare.wages continue to climb, but after adjusting for the rising price of goods and services, workers’ paychecks declined 3.5% over the past year. A recent KFF poll found that 74% of registered voters put inflation, including rising gas prices, at the top of their concerns. For millions of families living with chronic diseases — such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer — or other debilitating conditions, inflation is proving a punishing scourge that could be harmful to their health. Unlike dining out less or buying fewer clothes, many patients don’t have a choice when it comes to paying for medicine, medical supplies, and other ancillary costs. Some must drive long distances to see a specialist, and others must adhere to a strict diet. “Chronic disease patients are usually on the front lines of seeing a lack of supplies or an increase in out-of-pocket costs,” said Paul Conway, chair of policy and global affairs for the American Association of Kidney Patients. Health care has grown increasingly unaffordable. Half of adults report having difficulty paying their health costs, according to KFF polling. Onethird say they or a family member has skipped recommended medical treatment in the past year because of the cost, and onequarter of adults report rationing pills or leaving prescriptions unfilled.Inflation has squeezed families further by driving up the price of gas and food, as well as medical products such as needles and bed-wetting pads. Health care costs have risen 5.1% since July 2021, and medical commodities — which include prescription and over-the-counter drugs, medical equipment and supplies — are up 3.7%.Inflation is particularly detrimental to the health of lowincome patients; studies have found a strong link between poverty and health. According to the California Budget & Policy Center, more than half of California households making $50,000 or less struggle to pay for food, housing, and medical costs. For Deborah Lewis and her husband, Spencer, their concerns about the rising cost of gas have never been about skimping on summer travel or weekend getaways. It’s about making sure they have enough gas to drive Annabelle to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles for chemotherapy and other medications delivered through a port in her chest. The family relies on Spencer’s disability check, which he receives because he has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a hereditary disorder that causes him severe joint pain. He also copes with broken discs in his spine and a cyst pushing against his spinal nerves. In January, he stopped working as a pest control technician, shifting more financial responsibilities to hisThewife.disability check covers rent and utilities, leaving Deborah’s freelance work to cover gas. They also get $500 a month from Miracles for Kids, which helps families with critically ill children. On a June morning, Deborah packed snacks for the drive ahead as Annabelle, wrapped in her favorite blanket, waited on the couch. Most of her long blond hair has fallen out because of her treatments. The night before, Deborah spent $73.24 to fill up at Costco.Before they left, Deborah learned the couple carried a negative balance in their checking account. “I have so much on my plate,” she said. The family has already delayed health care for one family member: Their dog, a Doberman pinscher named Chief, skipped a vet visit for a mass pushing up his intestines.Politicians are keenly aware of inflation’s leaching effects. In October, most California households will receive “inflationrelief checks” of up to $1,050 to help offset the high cost of gas and other goods under a budget Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in June. The average price of a gallon of gas in California remains above $5, while the national average is about $4. But health experts worry that even with the one-time aid, affordability could become a life-or-death issue for some Californians. For example, the price of insulin can range from $300 to $400 per vial without insurance.“We’ve seen a number of patients living with diabetes and on a fixed income greatly impacted by rising inflation,” said Matthew Freeby, an endocrinologist and director of the UCLA Gonda Diabetes Center. “Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes typically require multiple prescription medications that may already be costly. Patients have had to choose between day-today finances and their lifesaving medications, such as insulin or otherInflationtreatments.”isalsoa challenge for people who depend on certain foods as part of their health care regimen, especially with food prices up 10.9% in the past year. Toyan Miller, 60, an integrative nutritional health practitioner from San Dimas, California, has been diagnosed with vasculitis and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, two autoimmune diseases that cause inflammation. Miller’s medically tailored diet requires gluten-free, organic food. Miller said she’s dipping into her savings to afford the average of $300 she spends each week on groceries. Last year, she spent about $100 less. “The avocado mayonnaise price freaked me out,” she said. “It used to be $8. Now, it’s $16.99.”
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 17-19, 2022 3Dateline USa by Heidi de Marco Kaiser Health News For medically vulnerable families,
inflation’s squeeze is inescapable
If we compare your budget to theirs, maybe yours would only be a fourth of theirs," he said, addressing the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. Per figures from Real Numbers PH, the Duterte administration's "unitary report" on the gains of the war on drugs, there were over 10,000 barangays yet to be cleared of illegal drugs by the time Duterte stepped down from office at the end of June. PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva told the Senate panel Tuesday that the number now stands at 9,693 drug-affected barangays around the country. Real Numbers, which aggregates data from the Philippine National Police, Dangerous Drugs Board, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also acknowledged 6,252 "persons who died during anti-drug operations." The PNP has regularly attributed the deaths to "nanlaban" narratives, claiming drug suspects violently resisted arrest and forced officers to act in self-defense. The Department of Justice is reviewing antidrug operations that resulted in deaths and irregularities have led to some cases being filed in court.Sen. Raffy Tulfo at the hearing Tuesday said that police are prone to abusing their power, pointing to reports he received while he was a broadcast personality of police breaching their standard operating procedures in arrests during road"Now,accidents.thepolice immediately arrest the suspect or whoever they think is the suspect. They even strike the suspects on the nape," he said in mixed Filipino andSen.English. Ronald dela Rosa, himself a former PNP chief, said that body-worn cameras to be used by all officers on the field would ensure better transparency in operations moving forward. Legal aid for cops, death penalty for drug traffickers In the list of the PNP's priority legislative agenda was free legal assistance for uniformed personnel. Torecall, former President Rodrigo Duterte in his final State of the Nation Address pitched to Congress a bill that will provide free legal aid to military and cops charged over actions committed in the line of duty. In the 19th Congress, that same bill has been filed by House Speaker Martin Romualdez (Leyte) and Senior Deputy Majority Leader Sandro Marcos (Ilocos Norte) in the form of House Bill No. 8, pending with the House committee on justice. The PNP also asked lawmakers to look into creating independent police law enforcement courts that will handle all civil and criminal cases involving PNP personnel. As it currently stands, Republic Act No. 10660 gives the Sandiganbayan exclusive original jurisdiction in all cases involving PNP officials with the position of provincial director, and those with ranks of colonel andRepublichigher. Act No. 6975 also mandates the creation of a People's Law Enforcement Board in municipalities and local government units which have jurisdiction to hear and decide citizen's complaints or cases filed before it against erring officers and members of theOtherPNP.laws of note in the PNP's presentation include:
• Providing for re-organization and rightsizing of the Philippine National Police
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• Amending educational requirements for PNP applicants • Instituting the revitalized barangay police of the PNP • Educational assistance to the dependents of PNP personnel killed in the line of duty PDEA Director General Villanueva also backed the reimposition of the death penalty for drug "Deathtrafficking. penaltywill send a clear message on the seriousness of the government's campaign to end the menace brought about by dangerous drugs. It must not however be seen as a tool to curtail the prospects of rehabilitating users and streetlevel pushers," he said in his presentation. "Theultimate aim is to go after big-time drug traffickers, coddlers, financiers, and protectors and at once, end the supply, demand, and harm posed by dangerous drugs in society."Killings continue amid talk of addressing 'root causes' of drug useInterior Secretary Benhur Abalos has said that his department will continue the Duterte administration's "war on drugs" but with a new approach. However, according to Dahas, a running count of the reported drug-related killings in the Philippines maintained by the Third World Studies Center of the University of the Philippines Diliman, the killings continue to this day, over a month after Duterte stepped down from public office. On the week of August 1 to 7, the fifth week of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration, the project documented seven drug-related killings, five of which were in Cebu. Kabataan party-list, in a separate statement, called for justice for Kian Delos Santos and all other victims of former President Duterte’s "fake and bloody drug war", especially the youth. "We will not forget Kian’s last words as he was gunned down mercilessly by police personnel. No one should have to beg a police officer to let him take the exam the next day," said Rep. Raoul Manuel (Kabataan) in mixed Filipino and English."Many lives and dreams have been killed by Duterte's fake war on drugs. Now that he is no longer president, this should be investigated and Duterte and his accomplices should be held accountable for the blood they spilled,” he also said. "Above all, we must be clear that the suppression of the drug problem is based on respect and promotion of human rights, not on its violation." (Franco Luna/ Philstar.com)
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Even those who are healthy may find themselves helping family or friends in need. In the mountainous Los Angeles neighborhood of Laurel Canyon, Shelley Goldstein, 60, helps her parents, both in their 90s, pay for items, such as incontinence products, not covered by health insurance. Goldstein’s father was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and lives in a retirement community with his wife, Doris. “Those are basic things, but that’s like $70 a month between the two of them,” said Goldstein, who works as a speaking coach. “That’s a Goldsteinlot.”worries about how much more of her parents’ health costs she’ll have to shoulder since they are pensioners on fixed“Whatincomes.keeps me up at night right now is what’s to come,” she said. “There’s two of them. My parents’ increased need for pads, meds, and other medical support increases as their health declines.” This KHN story first published on California Healthline, a service of the California Health Care Foundation.KHN(Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.
Islander Communities (EPIC) has humanized the numbers behind those lost to COVID-19 with a curated community exhibit titled, Toe Fo’i: The Return. Through the power of storytelling from 6 Pasifika artists, Toe Fo’i: The Return evokes a narrative that “reminds visitors the stories of those lost are the stories of those who survived,” says Kiki Rivera, PIEAM Guest Curator and EPIC Storyteller.“COVID-19 devasted our Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders,” says Rivera, “We are as dedicated to drawing awareness to the importance of vaccines and boosters as we are to guiding our communities through the hurdles of misinformation, fear, mistrust, and entitlement that surround the topic.”Here is what people should know about the COVID boosters: Boosters provide the best protection against severe illness and death. Over time, vaccines may become less effective at preventing COVID, and just because you’ve had COVID doesn’t mean you can’t get it again. Getting boosted extends your protection and keeps you safer from emerging variants. A booster shot is another dose that — as the name suggests — boosts immunity to the virus as time passes. Vaccinated people who have also had a booster are less likely to get sick; but if they do catch the virus, the illness is usually less severe. For adults ages 65 or older, boosters can more than double their protection.Vaccines and boosters protect vulnerable populations against COVID. Everyone 5 or older who has completed their initial COVID vaccination series should get a booster. Individuals who are up to date on COVID vaccines not only receive protection for themselves, but they also help reduce the spread of COVID to people who are at high risk due to age or compromised immune systems.
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Second boosters provide added protection for people at higher risk. Adults age 50 or older and immunocompromised individuals can improve their protection even more with a second booster. CDC recommends second boosters, with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, for: • People age 50 or older who got their first booster four months or more ago, • People who got a Johnson & Johnson vaccine and their first booster with a Johnson & Johnson dose at least four months ago, • Residents of long-term care settings,•People with certain underlying medical conditions that impact their immune systems, and • Pregnant and recently pregnantBoosterspeople.arereadily available to all vaccinated people ages 5 years or older. Just like the vaccines, booster shots are available at no cost to anyone living in the U.S. People who got Pfizer or Moderna vaccines should get a booster five months after the initial doses. Vaccinated adults 18 or older may choose any available vaccine as a booster, regardless of the type or brand of vaccine received previously. Only the Pfizer vaccine is available as a booster for those ages 5 to 17. For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www. vaccines.gov. (By the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign)
For medically vulnerable families, inflation’s...
PH lawmakers, enforcers want ‘community...
players from the winner of Wednesday's do-or-die PBA game between San Miguel (Fajardon and Perez) and Meralco (Almazan, Maliksi and Newsome) will be removed from the pool. Gilas will take on Lebanon in Beirut on August 25 and Saudi Arabia at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 29. (Philstar.com)
Marcos: Philippines may need to import some sugar as supply dwindles
MyTurn.ca.gov | 833-422-4255 Our kids can be full of icky, sticky little surprises. We can't protect them from everything, but we can protect them from COVID-19. Add vaccines and boosters to your child's back to school list. BACK TO SCHOOL IS COMING.
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 17-19, 2022 5 DATELINE PHILIPPINES DOF eyes reforms to boost revenues OCTA: Metro Manila positivity rate trending downward, but wave not yet over by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com
FUEL PRICE ROLLBACK. A gasoline station attendant fills up a fire truck fuel tank along Visayas Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, August 16. Some oil companies have rolled back prices of diesel at P1.05 per liter and gasoline by P0.10 per liter. PNA photo by Ben Briones
CALIFORNIASOUTHERNREGIONALRAILAUTHORITYIFBNO.PO895-23HPEALLETRASTORAGE
THE Department of Finance (DoF) has pushed for measures to boost the revenues of local government units (LGUs) such as reforming the real property valuation and assessment (RPVA). Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno made the proposal Tuesday during the organizational meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Government led by Sen. Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito. He briefed the Senate panel on the DoF's legislative agenda aimed at ensuring the fiscal sustainability of LGUs. Diokno said the RPVA reform aims to increase government revenues without raising tax rates. He also proposed the amendment of the 1991 Local Government Code on local finance. He assured senators that the government is fully prepared to address the challenges brought about by the lingering pandemic and inflation due to increasing world oil prices and unpredictable global economy.
MANILA — The volume of positive COVID-19 tests coming out of Metro Manila has been steadily declining since the first week of August, indicating a downward trend, independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research disclosed Tuesday, August 16. In a tweet advisory that morning, though, OCTA Research fellow Guido David urged sobriety over the still-emerging trends, pointing out that they need to be sustained for a few more weeks until they can conclusively say the peak has arrived. To recall, OCTA Research — among the most accurate pandemic forecasters in the time of COVID-19 — earlier pegged the peak, spurred by the arrival of new subvariants, coming within the week of July 16 to 23 based on the data they had at the time. But the think tank later on admitted that per more recent figures, the projection ultimately fell through after cases suddenly started rising again after weeks of decline."While cases may have already peaked in the National Capital Region, the trends will need to hold, as trends are still reversible. The risk level in the NCR remains moderate. The wave is not yet over," he Accordingsaid. to OCTA Research, the seven-day positivity rate of 17.3 percent on August 7 is now down to 16.1 percent as of Sunday, August 14. Likewise, the one-week growth rate of cases in the capital region decreased to -7 percent. FromAugust 1 to 7, though, the Philippines recorded 27,331 more COVID-19 cases, which meant just a 13% increase from the week prior. "The reproduction number in the NCR decreased to 1.13 as of August 12, from 1.19 on August 5. Meanwhile, healthcare utilization was at 37 percent while ICU occupancy for Covid was 32 percent, both as of August 14," David also said in his advisory. Positivity rate refers to the percentage of all tests that are coming out positive, while the term growth rate measures the speed of the increase in COVID-19 infections in a given area.
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking bids for HPE Alletra Storage for Agency SAN Expansion. Bid documents may be downloaded at SCRRA's website at Contractcontact:onBidsSelectmetrolinktrains.com/contracts/http://VendorPortal.Electronicaredueat2:00P.M.(PT)10/06/22.ForfurtherinformationMelissaCousart,Administrator,atcousartm@scrra.net8/17/22CNS-3612172#ASIANJOURNAL(L.A.)
The World Health Organization recommends the proportion of COVID-19 tests coming back positive should remain below 5% to ensure the spread of the virus is underDOHcontrol.saysover 10k cases still possibleAtthe same time, the Department of Health also said earlier this week that there was a possibility of over 10,600 daily COVID-19 cases in Metro Manila byPerOctober. datafrom the DOH, Quezon City logged the most coronavirus cases in Metro Manila with 241 new infections on Monday. Manila, Makati, and Parañaque came after with 148, 117 and 103 new cases in their localities, respectively. No other city in Metro Manila eclipsed the 100 cases mark for that"Thisday. once again gives us hope that the peak of the wave in the NCR may occur by next week [but with] no guarantees, of course...The trends need to be consistent for about a week before we can confidently say there is a downward trend," David said earlier. (Franco Luna/ Philstar.com)
MANILA — President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. is open to importing additional sugar in October but the volume may be less than the 300,000 metric tons proposed by the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) last week. Marcos rejected the SRA's proposal and the House on Monday, August 15 started hearings on the authorization to import sugar that the agency issued but that the Palace said the president had thumbed down.Ina vlog posted on YouTube on Sunday, August 14, Marcos said the country has enough sugar so there is no need to import for now. The local supply should be consumed first before importing additional sugar, he added.However, the president said the Philippines' sugar supply might dwindle in October so the government might need to buy the commodity from other countries."Perokakaunti lang, hindi kasing dami ng kanilang sinasabi dati na 300,000 tons. Eh siguro marami — malaki na ‘yung 150,000 (metric) tons para sa buong taon na ito (But it won't be as much as the 300,000 tons they said previously. Maybe 150,000 metric tons is already too much for this entire year)," he said. Marcos was referring to Sugar Order No. 4, which called for the importation of 300,000 metric tons of sugar and uploaded on the SRA's website last week. Malacañang has described the order as "illegal," saying the president, who is also the chairman of the Sugar Regulatory Board, had not authorized the issuance of the document. The Palace is now investigating to determine if there is negligence or malice behind the release of theLeocadioorder. Sebastian, the agriculture undersecretary who had signed the order for Marcos, has resigned and has admitted to signing the document without the president's permission. "We really do not want to import but if the supply of food is not enough, we would be forced to import because if we do not import and the supply is low, prices would go up," the president said in Filipino. "While we are fixing our production, we still have to import but we will make sure our imports won't be more than what is needed," he added. Fertilizer sources In the same vlog, Marcos said the government would look at non-traditional sources of fertilizers to enhance the production of farmers. "Iyong mga iba’t ibang bansa na hindi naman natin iniimporta noon ay nilalapitan na ngayon natin at baka sakali makabili tayo ng fertilizer na mas mura (We are approaching different countries that are not the usual source of our imports, hoping that we can buy cheaper fertilizer)," the president said. "On the part of the government, we are talking to our friends from different countries because if the trading of fertilizer is done through governmentto-government, it would be cheaper," he added. Marcos recently announced plans to reach out to China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Russia and the United Arab Emirates to buy cheaper fertilizer through bilateral agreements. He said the government is also planning to issue e-vouchers to farmers and is talking to fertilizer traders to control the price of urea, which has been affected by oil price hikes.
Ejercito voiced support for legislative proposals that seek to improve the capacity of LGUs in collecting taxes and generating revenue."Iwas too happy to hear that you intend to improve the real property valuation and assessment without raising taxes but improving the tax efficiency of the LGUs," Ejercito said. Diokno earlier urged the Senate panel on local government to champion a "just, equitable and efficient" real property valuation system."The reform will broaden the tax base used for property and property-related taxes of the national and local governments, thereby increasing government revenues without raising the existing tax rates or devising new tax impositions," he said. "The bill's urgent enactment will assist the LGUs in optimizing revenue collections, which, in turn, will promote genuine local autonomy." (ManilTimes.net)
The only question is the way the campaign is carried out. The architect and first implementer of Rodrigo Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel, now senator Ronald dela Rosa, has openly said his main regret in the bloody campaign is his failure to first carry out a thorough cleansing of the PNP, to prevent police abuses that have bred accusations of extrajudicial killings. Mind-altering and habit-forming drugs have been around for centuries, with governments launching regular crackdowns against banned substances. But with continuing demand, there is constant supply, with colossal profits because of the risks involved in trafficking illegal items. Rodrigo Duterte, who promised during his campaign to eliminate the drug scourge within six months of his presidency, conceded six years later that he underestimated the extent of the problem. He urged his successor to continue his campaign, but Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has been silent on the issue.
The brutal campaign drew complaints that prompted the International Criminal Court to launch a preliminary examination of the conduct of the war and the possible indictment of certain Philippine officials for crimes against humanity. Apart from showing the ICC and the world that the country is fully capable of conducting its own probe, the government must show that police abuses are rare exceptions rather than the rule in the continuing campaign against the illegal drug scourge. (Philstar.com) Editorial
BABE ROMUALDEZ
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EARLIER this month, President Marcos Jr. met America’s most senior diplomat in Malacañang. For U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, widely known as U.S. President Joseph Biden’s alter ego, it was his first official visit to Manila. Make no mistake: This was no routine exchange of pleasantries.Overthepast half-a-century, the relationship between the Marcoses and America has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Almost four decades ago, the notorious dynasty had to flee the same halls aboard a U.S. Air Force plane in order to avoid the fate of less fortunate fallen tyrannies (think of Romania or Russia).Thetwilight decades of the 20th-century America, at once, represented both a vital ally and a political sanctuary for the Marcoses, who spent their brief yet luxurious exile in Hawaii, as well as a site of numerous court cases based on allegations of widespread human rights violations and corruption during the dark days of martial law. And it goes without saying that the Marcoses weren’t pleased with the Raegan administration’s eventual, albeit initially reluctant, embrace of the democratic opposition. Thus, Mr. Marcos’ meeting with Washington’s most senior Cabinet member represented a major juncture in both Philippine-U.S. relations, as well as the dynasty’s ties with America. Ahead of Blinken, the new Filipino president held a flurry of meetings and exchanges with top Western officials, including a cordial phone conversation with Biden as well as in-person meetings with two of the most capable diplomats in Washington, namely Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and the new U.S. ambassador to Manila MaryKay Carlson. Right off the bat, the new Filipino president made it clear that his term won’t be a poor replica of his Beijing-friendly predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who made anti-Western pronouncements a centerpiece of his stream-of-consciousness foreign policy speeches. Mr. Marcos signaled that the fundamentals of the alliance will remain intact after six years of disruptive populism under Duterte.“We cannot, we can no longer isolate one part of our relationship from the other. We are too closely tied because of the special relationship between the United States and the Philippines and the history that we share,” Mr. Marcos told his guest. On his part, Blinken made it clear that Washington treats Manila as an “an irreplaceable friend, partner, and ally” and reassured his hosts that “an armed attack on Philippines’ armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the South China Sea would invoke U.S. mutual defense commitments under that [Mutual Defense] Treaty.” What made the meeting even more interesting, however, is Mr. Marcos’ statement on the ongoing crisis in neighboring Taiwan. Instead of laying blame on the U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s controversial visit to the self-ruling island nation, Mr. Marcos nonchalantly stated, “To be perfectly candid, I did not think it raised the intensity, it just demonstrated it—how the intensity of that conflict has been. It actually has been at that level for a good while, but we got used to it and put it aside.” No other Southeast Asian nation has so categorically shut down Beijing’s (self-serving) narrative on what many have come to see as the “Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis.” The Taiwan issue is particularly sensitive for Manila for two major reasons: First is the “tyranny of geography,” since the Luzon strait separates the two nations by just over 200 miles; and second is alliance entanglements since the Philippines will almost inevitably serve, or be treated, as a major base of operations for U.S. and allied troops in an event of contingency. Early in office, Mr. Marcos rebooted Philippine foreign policy toward major powers. While open to robust commercial ties with China, Mr. Marcos has effectively tossed out his predecessor’s often fawning, if not slavish, predisposition toward the Asian superpower. Shortly after securing the presidency, the new Filipino president underscored his commitment to a more proactive defense of his country’s sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, as well as a more critical, results-oriented approach to the largely “high rhetoric, low output” strategic relations with China. This has clearly been music to Washington’s ears. It also underscored Mr. Marcos’ determination to fully restore, if not further expand, a centuryold alliance on the verge of collapse only a few years earlier.
OFEATURES PINION
The efforts to recover the bells met with a lot of resistance compounded by legal obstacles, but the impassioned speech of former president Duterte during his State of the Nation Address in July 2017 revived the clamor for their return. Together with many groups that include US veterans, private American individuals like our honorary consul in Florida Henry Howard and countless friends who worked to overcome the obstacles – it was truly an honor for me that the bells were returned to the Diocese of Borongan in Eastern Samar in December of 2018. I have to thank FVR, too, because when I was first offered the post of ambassador and I initially declined, FVR was one of those who urged me to accept the job – and I must admit, he was right: there is nothing more humbling and gratifying than to be given the opportunity to serve your country, most especially during challenging times. (Philstar.com)
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During my early years as a news reporter assigned to cover Malacañang, one of those whom I had the opportunity to interview was General Fidel V. Ramos, popularly known as FVR. From the way he spoke and the manner by which he conducted himself with his upright posture, FVR struck me as someone who was every inch a soldier and totally disciplined with his comments.Duringthe times he would be waiting to see president Marcos Sr., I would spend time talking with him outside the study room at the Palace. On one occasion, Enrique Zobel, a close personal friend of General Ramos, invited me for lunch at the BPI executive lounge. During that lunch EZ hosted sometime in 1982, FVR revealed that he was really looking to continue in public service even after his retirement. That was perhaps the first indication – at least to me – that the general would be treading a different path, as the turn of events served as the impetus for Fidel Ramos to become the 12th president of the Republic of the Philippines. His tenure generally marked by a perception of political stability, FVR used his great prowess at psywar to confuse and perplex perceived political enemies. He was undoubtedly an excellent drumbeater who was able to lead the country on a steady course of economic growth, positioning the Philippines as the next tiger economy of Asia. I saw this for myself when I joined several of his trips as part of his business delegation, particularly in Los Angeles, in San Francisco and during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) conference in Vancouver, Canada in November 1997, and then on to Seattle.When the 1997 Asian financial crisis hit, the Philippines was not as badly hurt as the other countries in the region because, as FVR explained it, we kept our economy open and enhanced our competitiveness – summed up in his trademark battle cry of “Kaya natin ‘to!” (roughly translated as “We can do this!”). That’s because he was not afraid to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, when he fast-tracked an energy program – even utilizing power barges – to solve the energy crisis that saw the country suffering from 12-hour daily brownouts that began in 1990 and continued until the early part of his presidency. As a result, he was able to add 1700 megawatts of new electric capacity, prompting many to say that he saved the country from ruin because the “dark days” came to an end and investors started coming in. Age had not dimmed his intellect because long after he left the presidency, he would regularly send me copies of his articles printed on paper with the RPDEV (Ramos Peace and Development Foundation, Inc.) letterhead along with a handwritten note as well as comments on the margins, in his trademark red ink. There is no doubt that Fidel Ramos was an extraordinary individual who immensely contributed in making people proud of their country with his positive outlook and trademark thumbs up sign. In fact, this was the very same reason why we honored him with the Max Soliven Lifetime Achievement award during the “2018 People of the Year” awards, in recognition of the indelible mark that he had left in our country’s history. A lot of people, friend or foe alike, appreciated the gesture of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in giving credit for all the things that FVR has done in spite of what happened in the past, making it a point to be present during the late president’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. As President of the republic, BBM wanted to show unity and the appreciation of the people for all the contributions that FVR made in helping stabilize the country, describing him as a great leader and a dedicated statesman.Therelationship between the Philippines and ASEAN as well as the United States was one of its best during FVR’s term. In a statement, the USASEAN Business Council mourned the loss of “an elder statesman and enduring ally for US-Philippines and USASEAN relations,” noting that he “strengthened democratic institutions by ensuring the supremacy of civilian authority over the military,” which ensured the country’s economic prosperity. We should remember that the long journey home of the Balangiga Bells which were taken as war booty by American soldiers in September 1901 first gained traction when FVR personally asked president Bill Clinton for the return of the bells. As president Clinton seemed amenable to the idea, FVR instructed then-Philippine Ambassador to Washington Raul Rabe to start the work of recovering the bells, which were displayed at Warren Air Force Base near Cheyenne in Wyoming.
Remembering FVR
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.
* * * 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: babeseyeview@gmail.com
Human rights advocates have called for a holistic approach to the problem, addressing not only the law enforcement aspect but also the demand, which is a social and health problem. The previous administration tried to adopt this approach, but in line with repeated pronouncements from the president, the focus remained on the law enforcement aspect, characterized by overwhelming police response to suspects who purportedly resisted arrest or “nanlaban.”
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Decorated statesman and military officer former President Fidel V. Ramos Philstar.com file photo
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An alliance restored: Marcos Jr.’s US policy
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Continuing the war OF course the Philippine National Police will continue going after drug offenders, as promised by the new PNP chief, Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. No country has fully eradicated the drug scourge, and the world has never run out of people seeking the illegal substances.
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Press
On August 11, Marcos met with members of the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) and discussed strategies to keep the country’s food supply stable.During his meeting with LPP, Marcos said the local officials’ improved coordination with the national government is important to ensure food security. He also stressed the need to lay out plans for the provinces’ cropping schedules, yield, soil problems, and use of fertilizers. (PNA)
MANILA — The Malacañang Press Corps, which comprises members of the press assigned to cover the president, on Monday, August 15 said it was "concerned" that the Office of the Press Secretary decided against accrediting a longtime Palace reporter over unspecified violations.According to the MPC, the Palace did not accredit Hataw reporter Rose Novenario although it is yet unclear why. "We call on the OPS to clearly state Ms. Novenario's alleged violations as well as the circumstances that led to the denial of her accreditation," the Palace reporters said, adding its members need "clear cut rules on what is deemed as an unacceptable behavior."
At the Senate public information and mass media panel's hearing later Monday afternoon, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles confirmed that her office denied Novenario's request for accreditation after the reporter "insulted" members of the OPS with "anti-LGBTQ words."Asked by Sen. Raffy Tulfo what the veteran Palace reporter said, Cruz-Angeles replied that Novenario had used a phrase discriminatory to gays. Citing "reports" from her office's media relations unit, Cruz-Angeles said that Novenario used a homophobic slur when complaining about the office's media relations processes, though she did not present proof. Cruz-Angeles said Novenario can still be reinstated as an accredited Palace reporter later on if it's proven that the Office of the Press Secretary is in the wrong. MPCto continue dialogues with OPSThe Malacañang Press Corps urged the Office of the Press Secretary to "communicate properly" the grounds for the denial of accreditation of any of its members, adding that it would continue to hold dialogues with theJournalistsOPS. accredited with a government agency are typically given access to press conferences, releases, and other avenues for information on the goings-on in thatAlthoughoffice. the MPC is independent of government, the Palace has generally accredited its members and allowed them to cover."Ms. Novenario will remain a member of MPC despite the ban and we will continue to exhaust measures to address the issue, taking into account the need to balance the role of journalists to report independently and to ensure proper decorum in the performance of such a duty," the press corps said. The MPC has had a generally good relationhip with the Palace. In 2018, the press corps stressed that Rappler reporter Pia Ranada, who had been banned from the Palace and from covering President Rodrigo Duterte's events, would remain a member and said then that it was "[asserting] its prerogative to accept, suspend or revoke membership to the body." It also said then that it "deplores any arbitrary attempt to bar access and harass reporters performing their duty as an independent monitor of power and guardian of public interest." In 2017, the press corps issued a statement in response to then Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar's claim that media had "misreported" Duterte's statement about martial law."We are disturbed by the propensity of the officials of this administration to blame the media whenever the inflammatory statements of the President stir controversy or draw flak. This trend should stop as it would not contribute to the elevation of the level of public discourse," it said then. (Philstar.com)
MANILA — More economic and infrastructure project deals with China may "further compromise" the Philippines' position in the West Philippine Sea, a fisherfolk group said on Tuesday, August 16. An infrastructure think tank meanwhile said that government must make sure China loans are competitive if talks on funding for infrastructure should continue. "We demand that any negotiations with China be suspended until the latter leave the West Philippine Sea and respect the rights of Filipino fishers and vessels in our andtheHaulNationalterminated,projectscountries.projectspossibletransportrestartweekAmbassadorBautistasaidChairpersonwaters," PAMALAKAYAterritorialNationalFernandoHicapinastatementonTuesday.TransportSecretaryJaimemetwithChineseHuangXilianlastwherethey"agreedtonegotiationsformajorprojects" aswellasmaritimecooperationbetweenthetwoThisincludedmajorrailwaypreviouslyreportedsuchasthePhilippineRailwaySouthLongProjectorthePNRBicol,Subic-ClarkRailwayProject,theMindanaoRailway.
These were left in the back burner as China was reportedly charging the Philippines a 3% interest rate, which is higher than the 0.1% Japan was offering.
u PAGE 8
"It should be competitive to current interest rates for development loans being offered by other development agencies and partnerstappinggovernmentPhilippinespartnershiprelationsservesupportChineseTransportationinflationsuchproceedreconsiderGovernmentpasthaveinterestbePhilstar.comconvernorpartners," InfrawatchbilateralPHTerryRidontoldinatextmessage."However,governmentshouldwaryonthecurrentlevelofrates,ascentralbanksbeenraisingratesinthefewmonthstocurbinflation.thereforeshouldwhetherornottowiththeseprojectsuntiltimethatinterestratesandhavestabilized."PossiblebargainingchipTheDepartmentofnotedthatthegovernment’sfundingfortheprojects“willtostrengthenbilateralandenhancethebetweentheandChina.”However,Ridonsaidtheshouldalsoconsiderothermultilateralforotherprojectsin
Caution urged over infra talks with China amid West Philippine Sea issue corps raises margonim@metro.net.emailnetPortalSolicitationBidunopened.anddatereceivedofabove,1,Timeoncertifications.VendorPortal/faces/home1/https://business.metro.net/visit:Allproposalsmustbereceivedorbefore2:00p.m.PacificonThursday,September2022attheaddresslistedsenttotheattentionMarcMargoni.ProposalslaterthantheaboveandtimewillberejectedreturnedtotheproposerForacopyoftheProposal/specificationvisitourPageonourVendorathttps://business.metro.orforfurtherinformationMarcMargoniat8/17/22CNS-3615190#ASIANJOURNAL(L.A.)
Marcos:
Help admin bring change to PH
(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 17-19, 2022 7Dateline PhiliPPines
MANILA – President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, August 16 enjoined the vice governors nationwide to join his administration to bring change and development to the country.Marcos made the call during the oath-taking of the officers of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LGVP) at Malacañan Palace’s President's Hall.In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Marcos acknowledged the vice governors’ role as agents of change.“Dalangin ko na ang bawat isa ay makikipagtulungan sa ating administrasyon upang makamit ang pagbabagong hangad natin para sa bansa (I pray that each of you will help our administration in bringing change we desire for the country),” Marcos said. Marcos also thanked the LGVP members for their pledge to be honest public servants. “Lubos ang ating pasasalamat sa mga bise gobernador na kasapi ng League of Vice Governors of the Philippines na nanumpang sila’y magiging tapat na lingkod-bayan sa mga mamamayan ng kanilang mga probinsya (We are extremely grateful to the vice governors who are members of LGVP for their vow to become an honest public servant in their respective provinces),” he said. Marcos shared several photos taken during the oath-taking ceremony.TheLGVP is composed of vice governors of the 81 provinces nationwide.
concern over denial of Palace reporter’s accreditation OPEN LINES. The Department of Education launches the “Oplan Balik Eskwela” command center at its central office in Pasig City on Monday, Aug. 15. The DepEd will answer queries and other concerns on the opening of Academic Year 2022-2023 on August 2022 as well as the gradual transition to face-to-face setup. PNA photo by Alfred Frias LOS ANGELES AUTHORITYTRANSPORTATIONMETROPOLITANCOUNTY(LACMTA)REQUESTFORPROPOSAL LACMTA will receive proposals for AE89435-C0005 - ELECTRICAL ARC FLASH HAZARD ANALYSIS - DIVISION 13 at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.APre-Proposal conference will not be held. This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) Set-Aside contract. To participate in this RFP, proposers must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the Set-Aside Program,
Comelec Chairman George Garciasaid that postponed or not, the Comelec would have to resume the continuing voter registration in October, and new registrants will be added to the list of voters who will be included in the new schedule of the barangay and SK elections. Philstar.com file photo
EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT
Lawyers denounce terror financing case vs ‘rights defenders’
AUGUST 17-19, 2022 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-97978 Dateline PhiliPPines PAGE 7
MANILA — Financing terrorism is a “dangerous accusation” against the 16 individuals, four of them nuns, who were indicted on Monday, August 15 for allegedly violating the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2022. The Union of Peoples’ Lawyers in Mindanao (UPLM) issued the statement on Tuesday, saying the nonbailable offense of providing funds to the Communist Party of the Philippines and New Peoples’ Army (CPP-NPA) was “aimed at suppressing and harassing human rights defenders.” The nuns are members of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines in the Northern Mindanao Region (RPMNMR).OnMonday, the Department of Justice said that “probable cause exists to indict 16 respondents for making funds available” to the CPP-NPA. The offense carries a penalty of up to 40 years of imprisonment and a fine that ranges from P500,000 to P1 million.TheUPLM calls itself a “staunch ally” of the RMPNMR for its “defense and assertion of the rights of the rural poor communities in the face of development aggression, climate change, and sectoral discrimination.” The group pointed out that the projects of the RMP-NMR had gone through the “rigorous processes of selection, monitoring and auditing by its respective donors, such as the European Union, the United Nations, and many others.”
Postponing barangay, SK polls to cost additional P5 billion – Comelec order to get competitive rates. PAMALAKAYA, on the other hand, warned that the transactions may be used by China against the Philippines when it comes to the WPS. "Not only these deals with China are costly and lopsided, but it could be used by Beijing as a bargaining chip to continuously occupy and militarize the West Philippine Sea with impunity," Hicap said. Manila has territorial claim over the West Philippine Sea, backed by a 2016 Hague ruling, but China still recognizes parts of the disputed waters as its own. President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said in his State of the Nation Address that his administration's foreign policy is to “not preside over any process that will abandon even a square inch of territory of the Republic of the Philippines to any foreign power.” On the West Philippine Sea, Marcos Jr. previously said that he hopes to expand the scope of the two countries’ bilateral relations beyond the West Philippine Sea to include other sectors such as culture, education, and military. (Philstar.com)
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LIVESTOCK EXPO. Asean Informa Markets Asia Regional Portfolio Director Rungphech Rose Chitanuwat (center) discusses the upcoming Livestock Expo Philippines 2022 on August 24-26 at the World Trade Center during the press conference on Timog Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, Aug. 16. Also in photo were Department of Agriculture-National Livestock Program Director Ruth Miclat-Sonaco (left), and National Dairy Authority Officer-In-Charge Farrel Benjelix Magtoto (right). PNA photo by Ben Briones
MANILA — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will need an additional P5 billion if the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections will not push through his year, Comelec Chairman George Garcia told senators on Tuesday, August 16. Garcia said that postponed or not, the Comelec would have to resume the continuing voter registration in October, and new registrants will be added to the list of voters who will be included in the new schedule of the barangay and SK elections. The poll body projected 29.09 million new registrants when the continuing voter registration resumes.“That will mean additional number of ballots, indelibble ink, ballpens, padlocks and teachers,” Garcia said during a briefing of the Senate committee on local government chaired by Sen. JV Ejercito.“Ifyou ask us if the P8.449 billion is enough, it is enough because that is reserved for the Dec. 5, 2022 elections. But if the elections are reset, we will need to add funds because more equipment will be needed which will be used in the elections, especially if the elections are extended to December 2023,” he said.Garcia projected that from 68 million registered voters on December 2022, the figure may rise to 90 million by 2023. The additional funds, he said, would cover the cost of the continuous voter registration and allowances for teachers who perform vital tasks during the elections.Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Chiz Escudero proposed to reset the barangay and SK elections. Estrada wants the elections to be conducted on the first Monday of December 2023. Escudero wants it on the second Monday of MayEscudero2024. said the postponement of the elections has advantages, including continuity in government operations at the barangay level, particularly in providing basic social services and implementing national and local programs and projects. “The proposed measure gives ready access to the institutional memories of grassroots leaders, which could be used in formulating plans, programs and other interventions to adapt to the new normal and to return to the pre-pandemic growth trajectory of the Philippines,” Escudero said.He said the postponement of the barangay and SK elections would allow both the national and local governments to focus on interventions needed to recover from the pandemic and address the ongoing concerns such as oil prices, inflation and poverty. “The bill enables the government to realign a portion of the P8.44-billion appropriations for the barangay and SK elections to interventions aimed at sustaining the current momentum in addressing the coronavirus pandemic and achieving our collective socioeconomic objectives,” Escudero said. House panel OKs poll delay Voting 12-2, the House committee on suffrage and electoral reforms yesterday approved proposals seeking to postpone the barangay and SK elections from Dec. 5, 2022 to Dec. 4, “With2023.12 in favor and two against the postponement, the motion to move the Dec. 5, 2022 synchronized barangay and SK elections to a later date is approved,” declared committee chair Maximo Dalog Jr. Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. France Castro and Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel voted against the postponement. Manuel said he voted “no” based on the results of nationwide consultations with youth leaders, noting another postpoment will paralyze many SKs due to their extended stay in office. A rundown of the 38 measures showed the primary reasons for seeking the postponement were to save the P8.449-billion budget of the twin polls and its proximity to the May 2022 local and national polls.Deputy Speaker Aurelio Gonzales said that while the P8.449-billion budget for the barangay and SK elections would actuallly not be saved, it can be used as a “quick fix” to augment funds for fighting the pandemic.TheComelec vowed to comply with the law should lawmakers decide to postpone the barangay and SK Garciaelections.saidifthe poll body is to decide on the matter, it would push through with the elections as scheduled on Dec. 5. Garcia said they do not want their preparations for the 2025 elections be affected if the postponement is extended, although he said conducting the barangay and SK elections in May 2023 is reasonable. “That is not an endorsement from me. That is just an opinion,” heAssaid.these developed, poll watchdog Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting (PPCRV) has opposed calls to postpone the barangay and SK polls, saying it would weaken the importance of the barangays, especially in serving their constituents. The PPCRV said delaying the elections would deprive people of their right to choose the leaders they want to elect, especially in these trying times due to the pandemic.“Thepostponement of the elections also deprives citizens of the right and critical need to replace those leaders who did not fully exercise their voter-given mandate. The postponement of the SK elections stifles the right of the youths to participate and vote for other youth leaders,” the PPCRV said. The poll watchdog said postponing the barangay and SK elections to pave the way for the transfer of the P8.2-billion poll funds to the government’s COVID response program is unreasonable. g
Caution urged over infra talks with China...
EMPLOYMENT
by CeCille Suerte Felipe Philstar.com John eriC Mendoza Inquirer.net
G etting to k now Fil-Am triple threat Frank ie McNellis
MEET Frankie McNellis, a 16-year-old Filipino American triple threatshe’s an actress, singer, and dancer prodigy.
/ AJPress The Asian
she Moresaid. than that, she is thankful to her mom Agnes for inculcating her traditional Filipino values, and for teaching her how to cook. “My mom taught me how to sing and pray in Tagalog. She also loves to teach me how to cook Filipino dishes and they’re so yummy; my favorite is tocino,” she added. The best advice they’ve given“Myher?parents taught me that practice doesn’t make perfect, but permanent,” she shared proudly. 13: The Musical McNellis said working on 13: The Musical was an amazing experience and she is thankful for the opportunity to work with a wonderful cast. “The cast of 13: The Musical is so insanely talented and I have never met kids that work harder. They are my best friends and we are all so incredibly close now,”
Alex made Matteo cry for always bringing up his ex By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com Frankie McNellis Photo by @juliannekaye she Sherevealed.saidshe was pretty familiar with the musical when she first auditioned because she used to watch YouTube videos of Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies on Broadway back in 2008, which is why it excited her no end when she found out she got the role of popular cheerleader Lucy. The film was shot during the pandemic from March 2021 to August 2021. They got tested multiple times a week and rehearsed with masks and shields. They also had sanitary carts for each person. Her IMDB bio describes McNellis as “an actress, singer, and dancer prodigy” so we asked if she prefers to focus on all three or if she has a preference, and she was quick to respond.“Icould never choose one over the other. I have a love and passion for all three and I couldn’t live without them,” she explained.Asifthat’s not enough, she also enjoys writing songs and making music, her priorities whenever she gets free time. For now, it is all about nurturing her dream and working extra hard to achieve her aspirations.“Mydream is to be a successful pop star and to inspire others to follow their dreams and do what they love,” she said.
TheTV. young star plays the role of Lucy in the new Netflix feature adaptation of Broadway’s “13: The Musical,” streaming on Netflix starting this Friday, August 12. “I am so honored and blessed to be playing Lucy Hallman in the film,” McNellis told the Asian Journal. “Liz Gillies originated the role on Broadway back in 2008, so it is so cool getting to play the role for the next generation.”
MATTEO Guidicelli and Alex Gonzaga trended online after the actor called out Alex on live
Wednesday
Continued on Page 12
Frankie McNellis stars in the Netflix film “13: The Musical”. Hair color by @mrkimvo Hair styled by @mikahairstylist Make up and photograph by @juliannekaye Styled by @adeel_k Managed by @mattiemanagement Pampanga in the Philippines. Her great grandfather’s middle name was Frances and the closest female name was Francesca. Her nickname Frankie came from her Auntie Amy who said it once and it just stuck. She hopes she can go back and visit the Philippines again soon.“I used to go to the Philippines almost every summer when I was younger,” she recalled. “I remember always drinking mango smoothies.” She is thankful and grateful that her parents helped her develop her passion for performing as she admits she has been singing ever since she could talk. Dancing, piano, and vocal lessons followed suit to further hone her talent. “I feel like I’ve always known wanted to be a performer and I am so grateful for my parents because they are my biggest supporters. They put me in private lessons when I turned 5,”
AUGUST 17, 2022
Social media users said that Matteo called out Alex on TV5 noontime show “Lunch Out Loud” last Thursday, August 11 after she always brought up Matteo’s ex-girlfriend Maja Salvador in her punchlines. Pasensiya na po, may konting mensahe po ako sa mga ‘Tropang LOL’ especially sa ‘yo, Alex. Pinaniganipan ko ‘to kagabi, sabi ko sa sarili ko at nag-pray ako, ‘Lex, tigilan na natin ang pagbiro natin sa mga asawa natin dahil... mga ex na ‘yan, e, tapos na ‘yan,” Matteo said. Maawa naman tayo kay Konsehal at sa asawa ko dahil kagabi umiyak na ako dahil sa ‘yo...” he continued. “Bakit ka umiyak sa akin, ano ang ginawa ko?” Alex responded. Dahil nasasaktan ako para sa asawa ko, tigilan na natin... Siyempre nai-stress din yung editor natin sa taas,” said Matteo, husband of
by MoMar G. Visaya MDWKJournalMAGAZINE
The musical follows 12-year-old Evan Goldman (played by Eli Golden) who, following a move from NYC to a small town in Indiana, plans to have the ultimate Bar Mitzvah, while grappling with his parents’ (Debra Messing and Peter Hermann) divorce and the complicated social circles of a new school. The film also features new music from three-time Tony Award winner Jason Robert Brown, who served as the composer and lyricist for the Broadway production.McNellis remembers she was on the set of another projectHoney Girls - working in her very first dance rehearsal for the film when she learned about bagging the Netflix project. “I was asked to join a call where the Netflix team told me and the rest of the cast we booked the job. The audition process was long but so worth it in the end,” she recalled.Sheplayed a lead role in Sony Pictures’ “Honey Girls,” a Build-A-Bear Entertainment’s live-action feature film based on the top-selling product line from Build-A-Bear Workshop. She appeared opposite Ashanti, Tessa Brooks, Aliyah Mastin, and Ava Grace in this film which was released in the fall of 2021 and is also streaming on Netflix. Her Story Francesca Angelika Santos McNellis was born in Gilbert, Arizona on March 28, 2006. Her dad John McNellis is from Butte, Montana while her mom Agnes traces her roots to San Fernando,
Fil-Am support for Jokoy for Easter Sunday. Filipino-American comedian Jokoy who starred in Easter Sunday as Joe Valencia in the film reportedly financed by Steven Spielberg, got a boost on the second day run at Harkins Theater in Cerritos. Photo shows Pangasinenses fronting Harkin Cinema with Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA Board members and officers Dan E. Nino, Jackie M. Ferrer, Dean Mandapat, Jean Coquia and Sue Ann Estrada-Tumakay. The movie is centered on the feuding family of Jokoy based in Daly City, California as he visits his relatives. Upon his arrival at this Fil-Am enclave, Jokoy found out that his mother and aunt are not on speaking term. He also got entangled with his cousin’s buy and sell business wherein he had no choice but to solve and unlock this entanglement. The movie also starring Hollywood actors Tea Carrera and Lou Diamond Phillips started slowly but steadily morphed into a crescendo of contentious plot. It is hilarious and funny. Elements of an entertaining movie are present: action, comedy, musical, cultural awakening, Matteo Guidicelli and AlexPhotoGonzagacourtesy of Brightlight Productions
Jaya overwhelmed by help after house burned down in US: ‘We’re humbled by this experience’
Andre on dad Jomari Yllana: ‘Nasanay na ako na wala siya’
Aiko Melendez, Jomari Yllana and their son Andre Photos from Instagram/@aikomelendez, @andreyllana
Actress Sunshine Cruz Photo from Instagram/@sunshinecruz718 Jaya with her family Photo from Instagram/@jaya
By Milo
“Thank God we still have work that can help keep our minds busy. We will continue to love, live, laugh, sing, dance, create new memories [and] remain hopeful,” she added. Jaya, who moved to the U.S. with her family in July last year, earlier announced that they are leaving their destroyed home and starting their “adventure” of finding a new place to live in. (By Anne Pasajol/Inquirer.net)
jAn
Sunshine addresses bashers
the compliments were from each other. Andre then stressed that although his parents did not get back together, he never hated his dad for their setup. “Kahit ano namang mangyari, I’ll always still be here for you through thick and thin, kaso nga lang like I said, may mga bagay na hindi na kasing init dati,” he told Jomari. “Sana ‘yung mistake mo dati sa akin ‘wag mo nang ulitin sa mga kapatid ko dahil bata pa sila.” (Whatever happens, I will always still be here for you through thick and thin. But just like what I said, there are things that are not like how they were before. I hope you do not repeat the same mistake you had with me to my siblings because they are still young.)
By Anne PAsAjol Inquirer.net added.Sunshine also asked her bashers to just unfollow her for their peace of mind. “If my posts or my/our clothes bother you, kindly unfollow po for your own peace of mind,” she said.
ANDRE Yllana, Aiko Melendez’s son with former husband Jomari Yllana, admitted that although he currently shares a good relationship with his father, the young actor is used to Jomari’s absence in his life. Andre disclosed that while he is happy that he and Jomari are getting along with each other, the longing he has for his father is not the same as before. Andre talked about this during a conversation with Melendez, as seen in a vlog on her YouTube channel on Sunday, Aug.“Minsan14. kasi may mga bagay na it’s too late na. Siguro ‘yung thirst ko for a father dati, hindi na rin gano’n — kung dati grabe ako maghabol kay dad, siguro nasanay na rin ako na parang wala siya,” Andre said. (Sometimes, it is already too late for some things. Maybe my thirst for a father now is not the same as before. If before, I used to reach out to him too much, maybe now I am used to not having him by my side.) “Kaya pasensya na rin dad kung may mga times na nakakalimutan kita,” he added, addressing Jomari. (So I am also sorry dad if there are times when I forget about you.) Andre also recalled the instances when he tried to reunite his parents by lying and saying compliments for the both of them, making them believe that
10 The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 17, 2022 entertainment
“Thank God, my husband Gary calmly took control and [led] us to safety. Our son Gavin helped big time as well, but lost all of his possessions, but miraculously, his Bible, wallet [and] passport were untouched by fire!” she stated. “The main [three] bedrooms and some parts of the house didn’t really [burn], which was crazy because the fire was so huge and all over!”
During the conversation, Andre also expressed his hopes of having a complete family and being “the best father” in the future, as he knows how hard it is to long for a father. Melendez and Jomari got married in 2000 and separated about a year after. Their marriage was annulled in 2003. In 2006, Melendez married model Martin Jickain, with whom she shares her daughter Marthena; their marriage got annulled in 2010. Melendez is currently in a relationship with Zambales congressman Jay Khonghun.
ACTRESS Sunshine Cruz fired back at bashers who nitpick what she Inwears.thecomments section of her Facebook post, Sunshine said that it was never a sin to wear clothes that she felt pretty and confident in. “Wearing clothes that make us feel pretty, confident and happy is never a sin. Sa mga kababaihan at kalalakihan who still believe na may category ayon sa edad ang pananamit, pasensya na po, I will not let any of you control or change the way I am,” Sunshine said. “I love dressing up, I love wearing my own creations na crochet tops, I enjoy going to the beach with my children so expect to see more of me dito sa aking sariling Facebook page,” she
JAYA has nothing but gratitude to those who extended support to her family, after their house in the United States got damaged by fire due to electrical issues. The singer detailed how the incident happened minutes after she and her daughter Sabriya came home from the airport last Aug. 7 (U.S. time), as per Jaya’s Instagram page on Aug. 15.
severo Philstar.com
Right after the fire, Jaya received help from her neighbors who comforted her and her family, and provided them with necessities including shoes, clothes and water. Jaya then expressed admiration to her husband and three kids, who are coping from the incident by supporting each other despite feeling afraid and helpless. The singer also thanked her friends and loved ones both from the U.S. and Philippines whose “love, kind and inspiring words are so overwhelming.” “We are tired, fatigued, heartbroken but not defeated. We still catch ourselves cry in secret, but we are alright,” she said. “We are humbled by this experience. Now we know not to take anything for granted. We now move forward, one day at a time.”
By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman
LAS Vegas continues to expand the boundaries when it comes to presenting fun for people of all ages and skill levels. No longer just purely a gambling haven, the city that hosts a PGA Tour stop at TPC Summerlin will see an Atomic Range rise on seven acres of adjacent land near The Strat Hotel. The 99,000-square-foot golf entertainment complex will feature 103 hitting bays, 10 putting bays, plenty of places to eat and drink, and a large “Astrocade” where visitors can view sports and entertainment on large scale screens. Atomic Range is expected to be completed by Fall of 2023. Local officials, including Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman and Councilwoman Olivia Diaz, took part in groundbreaking ceremonies recently for the project that will eventually add 500 jobs to the city’s economy, according to local news reports. According to an official with Flite Golf & Entertainment, which is developing the project, they see this as a way to allow people of all ages to come and learn to play golf in a non-intimidating environment, while having fun in a facility that will be about four stories high. The company, which owns facilities in other parts of the United States as well as in locales like London and Saudi Arabia, estimates that the cost to build the Atomic Range in Las Vegas will be about $70 million. The LV Atomic Range will be the company’s flagship, per a company official. Flite Golf & Entertainment, which will share the revenue with Golden Entertainment, the company that purchased The Strat in 2017, shared with
11 The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 17, 2022 community news outlets both companies expect a mutuallybeneficial arrangement with Atomic Range customers who may end up going to the casino, and The Strat bringing in customers to the golf facilty.Atomic Range is expected to be a premier golf destination in Las Vegas with facility users able to have an immersive experience. The facility will feature the latest in golf and entertainment technology, and will certainly create memorable experiences for facility visitors. The Atomic Range project is just one of the many projects expected to open or take place in the latter part of 2023 in Las Vegas. The Fontainebleau Las Vegas, which is only about a mile away from The Strat, is expected to open towards the end of 2023, just ahead of the 2024 Super Bowl scheduled in the city. The many-sided tall blue building with the “fb” etched prominently in the 2000 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard is one of the tallest structures in Las Vegas and will feature a casino, retail mall spaces and lots of meeting spaces. The Fontainebleau, according to reports, will focus on conferences to take advantage of its location adjacent to the Las Vegas Convention Center. Formula 1 Racing will also be on the menu for late 2023 as the Las Vegas Grand Prix event will have the sport’s top drivers competing in a 14-turn track that will run for 3.8 miles, with top speeds expected to hit around 212 miles per hour. Sin City’s iconic landmarks will serve as the backdrop for the race that will feature three straights, a high-speed cornering sequence and a single chicane section, with Grand Prix drivers running over 50 laps and trying to outmaneuver each other to win the event. Not since the 1980s has there been a Grand Prix event in Las Vegas, and racing fans are excited at the prospect of witnessing Formula 1 Racing and seeing their favoriteMeanwhile,drivers. in another piece of news for Las Vegas, billionaire Tilman Fertitta is reportedly eyeing a 6-acre property to build an upscale resort, according to recent reports. This will reportedly give the Houston Rockets owner a bigger footprint in Las Vegas. Fertitta also owns the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in the downtown area, which is part of his Landry’s Inc. portfolio that operates more than 600 restaurants, hotels, casinos and entertainment destinations across the U.S. Although this is just speculation at the moment as there have been no confirmed reports of a finalized deal, the property in question is located near the Planet Hollywood Resort and across from the CityCenter Complex. Sources quoted by news outlets have suggested that Fertitta is buying the property for over $200 million. Per sources quoted by news reports, the casinoresort property being developed in the 6-acre property will not be another Golden Nugget type, but will be more upscale. This project, if it happens, will probably take a few years to complete. Although there is a reported slowing down in the housing market in Las Vegas, it is still one of the most viable land and property markets in the U.S. With a lot of construction projects happening in the city, and unemployment at or near historic lows, Las Vegas will continue to be a great destination
for real estate buyers in the years – or decades – to come.Property values in Las Vegas and nearby communities are more affordable than in other parts of the United States. Many property owners who took a gamble before and plunked down their money for Las Vegas properties are reaping the benefits of their investments, by way of increasing real estate prices and the ability to turn their property purchases into income-generating investments in the form of airbnbs or rentals. If you are looking to invest in real estate in Nevada, I have decades of experience in helping kababayans find their piece of the American Dream, whether it is in Las Vegas, Pahrump (which is only 62 miles west of Sin City) or other neighboring cities/towns. My team and I would be more than happy to help find your slice of land in one of the most exciting cities in the world. My company, Precious Properties, is a fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-5592476 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)
Atomic Range, which is scheduled to open in late 2023, is just behind The Strat. It is just about a 10- to 15-minute walk from Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s Turnberry Place 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.
Atomic Range will be an immersive kind of golf experience for Nevada residents and tourists. Photo above shows where the Atomic Range will be constructed relative to The Strat; inset photo shows a rendering of the golf facility by Flite Golf & Entertainment. File Work is ongoing at the Fontainbleau Las Vegas, the blue building behind Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman, which is scheduled to open in 2023.
Realtor Nida Santos (right), an investor from Manila of Realtor Fely QuitevisBateman (left), was amazed at the massive changes that have taken place in Las Vegas and Pahrump since her last visit 13 years ago.
New golf entertainment facility expected to open near The Strat by Fall 2023
WHAT’S your game plan when you retire? The timing can be one of 3 ways: you yourself planned when it will happen; the government said it’s time you did; or circumstances beyond your control, like the onset of illness, finally put you out to pasture.Orare you one of those who have decided to keep on going and going simply doing what you do best beating the bushes, like the energizer bunny? There is still that tremendous life force in you that needs to be spent. You ignore your age and trust your instincts. You are powered by nothing but chutzpah and prayer, knowing deep down that you will simply wake up one day and decide this is as far as it goes. Enough is enough.Typically around your early sixties, retirement, as a stage of life, looms large staring at you in the face. If life is like driving on the freeway, it is supposedly a time when you begin to downshift your gears, getting off the fast lane as you move to the middle lane and gradually sidle to the farthest right lane to find your exit. You head home to the gentle comforts of home sweet home knowing you never have to get up so early starting tomorrow to do the same darn thing you’ve been doing for decades.Freedom at last!!! Breaking the shackles of the workaday world feels wonderful. There is now time to do the things that you have always wanted to do and maybe flesh out those dreams that have been percolating quietly in the back burner. Now you have the time, adequate resources and, most importantly, the blessing of all blessings, you are still in the pink of Thankhealth.God, hallelujah!!! You have run the course with time left over to savor being alive. You feel like doing cartwheels —that is—if your osteoporotic bones and stiff limbs will let you. Meh… ProbablyIdeally,NOT!you are ready for this stage of life. That is —if you have dotted your i’s and cross your t’s— as you render a full plate of life experiences, good and bad, while trying to balance home life and work life for many years…
Grazing in the grass (1st of 2 parts) Jose Mari Chan culture. Along with many other international awards, they are also a national recipient of the 2012 Ani ng Dangal Awards for Music given at the Malacanang Palace.The MeistersingersPhilippineare very active in the music ministry, giving concerts and lectures on singing and choral music around the world. They have ministered throughout the Philippines, Asia, Canada, USA, UAE, United Kingdom, and Europe.The director, Ramon “Bojo” Molina Lijauco, Jr. is an international vocal and choral consultant. He is based both in the Philippines and Thailand, conducting another internationally awarded choir, The Suanplu Chorus. He has lectured and gave speeches around the world. He has degrees in Nursing, Music Education, and a Masters of Music in Choral Conducting (Summa Cum Laude). He is now finishing his Doctor of Music in Choral Conducting. He is the recipient of the 2020 Jayne Davis Prize (Most Outstanding Conductor) in Wales, United Kingdom, and the 2020 Ani Ng Dangal for Music given at the Malacañang Palace. In all their activities, the Philippine Meistersingers aim to give ALL THE GLORY TO AlsoGOD.featured are FASO Youth String Ensemble, FASO Youth Orchestra, Soloist Irene Castillo, FASO Kids: Ardyanna Ducusin, Stazy Reoma, Iesha Ringor, Vocalists: Felson Palad and Deb FASO’sVicta.mission is to sustain artistic excellence in the community and to be an avenue of cultural growth for our youth, by developing love for and pride in one’s music as well as in one’s identity. For tickets, head celebration/.lease-events/faso-presents-org/tickets-free-events/https://www.musiccenter.to:
THE Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) presents CELEBRATION! featuring the music of Filipino singer and composer Jose Mari Chan and internationally recognized Filipino and classical suites. This concert is the orchestra’s return to in-person events since their last production in 2019, which makes this evening an extra special one not to be missed. Under the direction of Maestro Robert Shroder, FASO will take you on a celebratory journey through multiple musical eras starting from traditional marches for bands to modern-day anthems about finding your heart’s true love. Jose Mari Chan will be in attendance to be honored with a special award for his decades-long career and accomplishments as an internationally awarded singer/songwriter.JoseMariChan, in his 55 years of being a PlatinumRecordin3Philippinesales.severalalbumscountry,biggesttheinsongwriter-recordingsinger-artistthePhilippines,holdsdistinctionofbeingthesellingartistinthehavingrecorded14andtheholderofPlatinumawardsinNotablyheistheonlyrecordingartistwithDiamondRecordAwardssaleswhereaDiamondisequivalentto10Awardsinsales.His first recording “Afterglow” was released in 1967 followed by a series of top hits which include such classics as “Deep in My Heart”, “Refrain”, “ Tell Me Your Name”, “ Beautiful Girl”, “Constant Change”, “Please Be Careful with My Heart”, “Hahanapin Ko” “A Love to Last A Lifetime”, “Love at 30,000 Feet” and many others. His biggest perennial sellers are his “Christmas In Our Hearts” and “A Perfect Christmas” which continue to define the Yuletide Season in the The Philippine Meister singers Philippines all these 32 years. Jose Mari also wrote several music scores for Philippine movies and Jose Mari Chan’s songs have been recorded by artists in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and in the United States. In 1974, he was named one of the 10 Outstanding Young Men of the Philippines in the field of arts. As a concert performer, Jose Mari performed at the Carnegie Hall in New York, the Bellagio in Las Vegas and other prestigious halls in Tokyo, London, Vienna, Zurich, Paris, Toronto, and in other metro areas around the world.The
Alex made Matteo cry for...
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“ … If life is like driving on the freeway, it is supposedly a time when you begin to downshift your gears, getting off the fast lane as you move to the middle lane and gradually sidle to the farthest right lane to find your exit.…”
Of course, you can always go into denial and think and act young but your contrarian body will probably beg to differ at times yanking you back to face the reality of having logged a lot of miles on your one and onlySuddenlybody. you have to deal with aches and pains in places you never thought existed. It doesn’t help that your doctor reads gobbledygook sets of numbers about your blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, creatinin levels, blood pressure readings, A1C number, kidney and liver health and so forth. Your medical provider wants to submit you to mammogram and colonoscopy and all types of tests to find out if you are still of sound mind and sound body, purportedly so you can enjoy the rest of your remaining years. It’s something borrowed from the automotive industry: 100 K check, 200 K check to see if all your parts are still in working order and which parts need replacement.Okay,admittedly, these are not gobbledygook numbers but they indicate that this time around, you have no excuse to ignore the warning signs of your mortality. All it says is: SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT. OR ELSE you can go to the wide blue yonder flat on your back sooner rather than later. SIGH… But there is a serious reason why you hem and haw to put off all these gamut of tests. What if they find something? Oy vey! You’ve run the full course of life only to deal with another daunting challenge. Also, you ascribe to the belief that what you don’t know won’t hurt you. Or so it seems. I have heard of sad stories of people, who after just a few years of retirement, are diagnosed with aggressive stage 4 cancer or some form of serious illness and are left to deal with a very short lease on what is left of life. Of course, these stories are purely anecdotal and isolated but they do happen.Youfeel older and if you culled out the nuggets of wisdom from yours and other’s experiences, you’ve become even a little wiser perhaps. You have listened halfheartedly to those financial planners and even those persistent advance funeral planners who have been bugging you about the benefits of being prepared for the inevitable — DEATH —the final exit out of planet earth. I ought to know. I am a Planning Advisor myself and with the myriad, intense stories of final chapters I have compiled in my head, I have more than enough materials to fill a thick book. You have taken pains to sock away a smidgen of moolah for a long time in your 401K or saved a few bucks by yourself and by your estimates (and provided you are sensible with a tight fixed income), you will remain fiscally viable, without having to rely on a government dole-out, even if the unthinkable happens. You plan to exit this world with your dignity intact. You hope that a smattering of beautiful memories, yours as well as of those you leave behind, are indelibly marked in a few hearts and minds for a generation or two — strong enough to move them to bring you flowers on your gravesite long after you’re gone. If your life were to be compressed to a 60-second video, you hope that the awful parts were edited out and landed on the cutting room floor permanently deleted. The saddest thing about a life is to be forgotten as though you never lived. To be continued next week…
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Atty rAymond BUlAon Minding Your Finances FACING difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are hounding you, at some point, you realize that something must be done but you just don’t know where to begin or where to go for help. Often, options can also be confusing unless you get the right information that you need to make the right decision. Should I consider filing bankruptcy or is that the worst mistake I can make under the circumstances? What can creditors do to me if I continue to ignore my debt problems? If a lawsuit, wage garnishment, repossession or foreclosure is imminent, you need to take action immediately so you can protect yourself and your property. If filing bankruptcy is your best option, consult with an experienced bankruptcy attorney who can explain to you how this process works so you can get immediate debtUnfortunately,relief. most people feel a certain shame or stigma about petitioning for bankruptcy when in reality it may be the best thing that they can do to protect themselves from creditor actions. Listen to me: If your home, wages, assets and your financial future are at stake, you don’t need to feel embarrassed about anything. If you have done your best to
* Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kureyeslaw@gmail.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com.(AdvertisingSupplement)
CornerBarrister’s Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another state in custody cases
popstar Sarah Geronimo. The circulating video clip, however, was cut. “So, Tropang LOL, irespeto natin mga asawa natin at mag-usap na lang tayo tungkol sa,” Matteo said, then turned to Alex and added, “... kuko mo “Skrrt,!” skrrt, skrrt, skrrt!” Matteo said at the camera.Inan interview with News5 aired last Friday, August 12 Matteo explained that his punchline was cut on air, so he wanted to clarify his statement.“There’s a lot of people that say negative things about her (Alex Gonzaga). I just want to clear the air and everything. ‘Tropang LOL’ is an entertainment show and clips were coming out, naputol siya, without the punchline in the end e... na let’s joke around your toenails, Alex,” said Matteo.Prior to this, Matteo and Alex made quips about their ex-lovers. Alex, now married to politician Mikee Morada, was in a relationship with former Callalily frontman Kean Cipriano.
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PARENTS who are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network is in another state. This decision often have a significant impact on the visitation of the other parent because it would be more difficult for the noncustodial parent to exercise his or her visitation rights in a frequent and continuing manner if the custodial parent moves to a different state hundreds or thousands of miles away from the non custodial parent. The parent that has Custody of the child has a presumptive right to change the child’s residence unless the non custodial parent can show that the move would be a detriment to the child. In cases where there has not been any final custody order, the court has to make a custody determination using “the best interest” Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes
Debt problems: How can bankruptcy protect you?
* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. * * * Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes Asianfor Journal. To send comments, monette.maglaya@asianjournalinc.come-mail
torecognizingCongressionaltheyWiththeMusicalLlangollenWorldcovetedworld.andistheMeistersingersPhilippine(formerlyAUPAmbassadors),oneofthemostactiverespectedchoirsintheTheygarneredthetitle,“Choirofthe2011”inthe2011InternationalEisteddfod,receivingLucianoPavarottiTrophy.thisaward,in2012receivedaPhilippineProclamationtheircontributionPhilippinemusicand
12 The Asian Journal MDWK MAGAZINE - August 17, 2022 community standard. Court will look at the factors and decide what is in the best interest of the child. Custody is usually given to the parent that is more likely to allow frequent and continuing contact between the child and the other parent. On the other hand if there has been a final Custody determination, then the non-custodial parent would have to show a “significant change in circumstances” to change the custody arrangement. The Court would then consider certain factors laid out in the case Marriage of LaMusga in deciding whether the child would suffer detriment from the relocation and whether a change of custody should be ordered. The LaMusga factors which the Court will consider are 1) the children’s interest in stability and continuity in the custodial arrangement; 2) the distance of the move; 3) the children’s age; 4)the children’s relationship with both parents; 5) the relationship between the parents including, but not limited to, their ability to communicate and cooperate effectively and their willingness to put the children’s interests above their individual interests; 6) the children’s wishes if they are mature enough to make that inquiry appropriate; 7) the reasons for the proposed move; and 8) the extent to which the parents currently are sharing custody. * * * Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation.
The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) returns in person with CELEBRATION! featuring the music of Jose Mari Chan
do everything you can with no success, you need to at least find out what your legal options are. Forget about what you friends and family may think if they find out that you are considering bankruptcy. That should be the least of your concerns. What you need to know is to find out the advantages and disadvantages of bankruptcy so you can determine if it is right for your situation.Ifyou have been sued by a creditor and you don’t file an answer to the complaint, the creditor can get a default judgment against you. The judgment obtained will then allow the creditor to further collect the debt by seizing your bank accounts or garnishing your wages. In certain cases where the creditor obtains a court order to force you to appear in court to be examined regarding your assets (debtor’s examination), your failure to appear may result in a bench warrant issued by the court for yourKeeparrest.in mind that in the above scenario, you do not go to jail for owing money, but you can get arrested for failure to appear at the judgment debtor’s examination. If you file bankruptcy, of course, at any point during the collection process, the legal proceedings against you are immediately stopped.Forthose of you who are in foreclosure and are currently trying to work out a solution with your lender with a forbearance agreement, a repayment plan or a loan modification, don’t make the mistake of not having an alternative plan just in case your lender says “no”. I see a lot of people these days who have waited for months to get a response from their lender after submitting their loan modification application, only to be told the last minute that their lender has declined their request and that foreclosure proceedings will immediately resume.Ifyou have been approved for a “trial loan modification”, also remember that this doesn’t guarantee approval unless you abide by the terms of the conditional approval. My point is this: Find out NOW what other options may be available to you in case you are denied. If you wait to do this AFTER you have been denied, you may find that you either have very limited options or no options at all.For a free consultation, call my office at Toll-Free 1-866477-7772 so we can carefully evaluate your case. * * * None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situ ation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 6,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772.(AdvertisingSupplement)
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