081823 - New York & New Jersey Edition

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AUGUST 18-24, 2023

Volume 16 - No.43 • 16 Pages

DATELINE USA

on the rise: What we know about the new

IT may be time for U.S. citizens to take precautionary health measures again as the COVID-19 subvariant called EG.5, dubbed “Eris” on social media, has been on the rise—accounting for 17.3 percent of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. as of Aug. 5, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Dr. Andrew Pekosz of the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology at Johns Hopkins describes the EG.5 variant as very closely related to the XBB Omicron subvariants that have been circulating in the U.S. for the past six

 PAGE 3

P100-million funding sought for PH Ayungin buildup

by

MANILA — Sen. Francis Escudero’s proposal on Tuesday, August 15 to set aside P100 million in the 2024 national budget for the construction of permanent structures

in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in the West Philippine Sea drew support from his colleagues and the chief of the Philippine Navy.

The structures, according to the senator, could serve as permanent lodging for soldiers stationed at the rusty BRP Sierra Madre, a

warship intentionally grounded in the shoal in 1999 as a Philippine military outpost and now at the center of fresh tensions between Manila and Beijing.

“I will propose the allocation of P100 million to fund the construction of a pier and

Senators raise concern about PH’s ballooning debt

by MAILA AGER Inquirer.net

MANILA — Should Filipinos worry or panic over the country’s ballooning debt?

Senators raised this question on Tuesday, August 15 as they scrutinized the proposed P5.768-trillion national budget for 2024.

MANILA — The Philippine government considers the escalating tensions in Taiwan Strait a “major concern” that could affect the country, according to a document published by the government.

The government said in its National Security Policy 2023 to 2028 that the Taiwan-China relations have the “potential to be the flashpoint in the region.”

“The Philippines is concerned about its economic stability, a potential influx of refugees, and the welfare of overseas populations,” the government said in the document.

“Any military conflict in the Taiwan Strait would inevitably affect the Philippines given the geographic proximity of Taiwan to the Philippine archipelago and the presence of over 150,000 Filipinos in Taiwan,” it added.  China claims Taiwan, and has vowed to take the democratic island one day—by force, if necessary—and ramped up political and military pressure against it.

In April, Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian “advised” the Philippines against

14-19,

47,678

Peso nearly hits 57:$1

by LAWRENCE AGCAOILI Philstar.com

MANILA — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is not worried about the weakening of the peso against the dollar, which almost touched the 57 level on Monday, August 14 due to the narrowing interest

rate differential between the Philippines and the U.S.

The peso lost 46.5 centavos to close at 56.78 to $1 on Monday from Friday’s (August 11) 56.315. The local currency opened weaker and almost touched the 57 to $1 level as it lost steam further to hit an intraday low of 56.99.

According to BSP

By end of next year, the country’s debt is projected to climb to P15.8 trillion, National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon told the  Senate committee on finance.

For 2024 alone, De Leon said the government needs to allot  P1.9 trillion for debt service.

“How come the position is we should not worry about debts yet?” Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III then asked.

“How come Filipinos should not worry

DFA: Help underway

for Hawaii

wild re-stricken Filipinos

by CHARIE ABARCA Inquirer.net

THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday, August 15 said operations to assist distressed Filipinos in Hawaii following the catastrophic wildfires are ongoing.

In a text message to INQUIRER.

net, DFA Undersecretary Eduardo de Vega said the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, Hawaii, will help Filipinos there.

“Our consulate is proceeding to Wailuku in Maui today to assist distressed kababayans and to get verified information on casualties, missing persons, etc. They are in

‘Eris’

dominant COVID-19 variant in the US

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, August 14 joined Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte with teachers and volunteers in prepping up Victorino Mapa High School in Barangay San Miguel, City of Manila under the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Brigada Eskwela 2023. The clean-up drive, which will run from August

aims to prepare more than

public schools around the country for the August 29 class opening.

China-Taiwan tension a ‘major concern’ for PH

FRANCES MANGOSING, MELVIN GASCON Inquirer.net

China-Taiwan tension a ‘major...

supporting the independence of neighboring Taiwan if it “cares genuinely” about the OFWs based in the island.

The envoy made the statement after Manila gave Washington access to more military bases, some of which are located in Isabela and Cagayan—northern provinces facing Taiwan.

WPS issue a top concern

For the Philippine government, the West Philippine Sea issue remains the country’s primary national interest.

“The divergences of claims, as well as the claimants’ methods of

asserting their positions, continue to pose strategic challenges, endangering not only the country’s territorial integrity, but also the Filipino people’s exercise of legitimate rights and their safety and well-being,” the document read.

Last week, the Philippines summoned Huang and protested China’s “illegal actions” after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at boats on a resupply mission. Officials said the government will not abandon the Ayungin Shoal in the Spratly Islands.

Beijing claims the majority of the South China Sea,

including parts that Manila calls the West Philippine Sea, as its own, using a “ninedash line” on maps that an arbitration ruling in 2016 declared has no legal basis.

The government also said the “heightened rivalries among the major powers are contributing to a more tense geopolitical landscape.”

The plan also identified political stability and public safety, economic strength, ecological balance and climate change resiliency, and cyber security as the government’s national security interests.   (Gaea Katreena Cabico/Philstar. com)

DFA: Help underway for...

constant touch with the local authorities, as it is the latter who are responsible for these operations,” he said.

“The Filipino nation commiserates with the people of the State of Hawaii over this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Asked if the DFA already has the number

P100-million funding sought for PH Ayungin...

PAGE 1

of Filipinos affected by the wildfires, de Vega answered, “No exact data yet,” adding that there’s “no confirmed data on Filipino citizens affected by the disaster.”

Citing data from the government of Hawaii, de Vega said the wildfires have already claimed the lives of at least 96 people and that the inferno is “being contained.” g

lodging structures for our soldiers assigned in the area, and for our fishermen who might seek temporary refuge in times of bad weather,” Escudero said.

He said the facilities could also shelter fisherfolk of any nationality who might be caught in bad weather in the high seas.

“It will welcome fishermen in distress with warm accommodations and not with a blast of the water cannon. It is there to help and not to harass,” he said, alluding to the Aug. 5 incident when China Coast Guard ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels on a resupply mission to BRP Sierra Madre.

‘Soon lost to sea’

Since that incident, the Philippines and China had traded barbs over control of Ayungin Shoal, with the latter saying Manila had once promised to tow the warship out of the area, a claim denied by Philippine officials.

Escudero said the construction of structures in Ayungin should be done in haste as BRP Sierra Madre was degrading fast from its 24-year exposure to the elements.

“Sierra Madre’s greatest enemy is nature, and it will soon be lost to the sea. It’s now rusted, and [we cannot let] our soldiers die from tetanus,” he said.

“Its being beached there was supposed to be an ad hoc measure. After almost one-quarter [of a century] it is time for a permanent solution,” he said.

Escudero suggested that parts of the Ayungin

structures be prefabricated on land and transported to the shoal to prevent any damage to the environment.

“There will be no Chinastyle fortification in which the environment is permanently damaged,” he said.

Escudero’s proposal was received well by other senators.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, chair of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, hinted that he was keen to seek a budget bigger than P100 million to allow the government to carry out improvements on Ayungin as well as the Kalayaan group of islands, or the Spratlys.

“Even the health center, the barangay center, there are no other services that can be offered by our government there,” he noted.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri vowed to introduce “institutional amendments” in the proposed 2024 spending program for improvements on BRP Sierra Madre and on Pag-asa Island, the largest of the Philippine-administered islands in the Kalayaan group.

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III called Escudero’s proposal “an idea worth pursuing.”

“Because if an area is within our EEZ (exclusive economic zone) we have the right to build structures [there],” he said, referring to the 370-kilometer area that extends from a country’s territorial sea.

Escudero said initial funding support from Congress should give the president “flexibility” as the chief architect of the

country’s foreign policy.

“What will be given is the congressional authority to build more in the Ayungin,” he said, adding that under budget rules, the president was authorized to augment any item in the General Appropriations Act.

Reached for comment, Navy chief Vice Adm. Toribio Adaci Jr. said he welcomed Escudero’s proposal of erecting permanent structures in Ayungin.

“We are appreciative and thankful for the support in order to enhance the habitability of the ship’s spaces and improve the physical condition of the vessel for our troops stationed thereat,” he said.

But he declined to disclose current funding for the upkeep and operations at BRP Sierra Madre, only saying it was “not much.”

“In the past years, the budget for Sierra Madre is basically used for the admin, logistics, and sustainment requirements of the troops stationed thereat, like food provisions, solar lighting systems, generators, medical provisions, and desalination equipment,” he told the Inquirer.

Sovereignty budget

In the 2022 National Expenditure Program (NEP), there was no specific item for maintenance of the grounded warship although an operating expenditure item under the Department of National Defense’s military service support units was labeled “Sovereignty of the State and the Filipino people protected” with an amount of P43.5 billion.

PRACTICALLY UNINHABITABLE. The decrepit BRP Sierra Madre, seen here being boarded by Philippine Navy men, may be in its last days, says Sen. Francis Escudero. He’s proposing the construction of a pier and lodging structures for Filipino soldiers stationed there, as well as for fishermen in distress. Photo taken on June 22, 2022.

Photo by Marianne Bermudez / Philippine Daily Inquirer

on the rise: What we...

months.

“Notably, it contains one particular mutation that is known to evade some of the immunity that you get after an infection or vaccination,” Pekosz says.

While there’s no need to panic, Pekosz suggests those susceptible to severe COVID-19 such as the elderly and those with medical conditions should take care not to dismiss respiratory symptoms. Like in previous variants, EG.5 symptoms include headache, cough, fever, fatigue, and muscle aches.

“Its disease potential appears to be exactly the same as other variants’ as well. The antivirals currently available should work against it,” adds Pekosz. “And the diagnostic tests, both the at-home rapid tests as well as tests that you get at medical facilities, all should recognize this variant quite well.”

With EG.5 closely related to XBB variants, the new COVID-19 vaccine targeting the XBB 1.5 variant set for a fall rollout is expected

Senators raise concern about PH’s...

to protect against EG.5 as well.

“Based on the available evidence, the public health risk posed by EG.5 is evaluated as low at the global level, aligning with the risk associated with XBB.1.16 and the other currently circulating variants of interest,” wrote the World Health Organization in its EG.5 Initial Risk Evaluation on Aug. 9.

“While EG.5 has shown increased prevalence, growth advantage, and immune escape properties, there have been no reported changes in disease severity to date,” the WHO went on to say. “However, due to its growth advantage and immune escape characteristics, EG.5 may cause a rise in case incidence and become dominant in some countries or even globally.”

This serves as a reminder for us that COVID-19 is still around and we should keep ourselves updated on how we can protect ourselves from it. (Amrie Cruz/ Inquirer.net)

about their ballooning debt na ballooning na rin yung principal and debt payments, and yet ballooning pa rin si total amount to be paid?” Pimentel asked again.

De Leon assured that the country’s debt is “very manageable” and “sustainable.”

Still, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa sought to assuage fears that it would take generations to pay for huge debt.

“May nagsasabi na mas maganda siguro kung mas manganak tayo ng maraming anak para lumaki ang population natin at pag lumaki ang population, mas maraming maghahati-hati ng utang, mas bababa ang per capita ng utang natin,” he said.

(Some are saying we should have more children to grow the population so that  more people will share the debt burden, which would result in lower debt per capita.)

Dela Rosa then asked the economic team: “Tama ba sir sabihin natin sa mga Filipino nanood ngayon na

pagdating sa national debt natin, don’t panic walang problema, kayang-kaya natin ito?”

(Is it okay to tell the Filipinos watching now that when it comes to our national debt, “Don’t panic, there’s no problem. We can handle this?)

As in the past, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno assured the lawmakers that  the country’s debt is manageable.

Diokno also pointed out that the composition of the national budget is mostly investment and is pro-poor.

“So don’t panic mga

Filipino. Utang lang yan, kayang kaya,” Dela Rosa said.

(So don’t panic, fellow Filipinos. It’s just debt, we can definitely handle it.)

Like Pimentel, opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros said she is also worried  about the ballooning budget of the country.

“Madali po sigurong sabihin wag tayong magaalala sa utang, pero tulad ni Sen. Koko nag-aalala po ako and sa totoo lang, di po tayo dapat mag-overpromise kung nag-a-underdeliver pa…” Hontiveros said.

(It’s probably easy to say that we shouldn’t worry about debt, but like Sen. Koko, I’m concerned. And honestly, we shouldn’t overpromise if we’re still underdelivering…)

“Normal lang po talaga mag-alala sa utang kasi nga people don’t feel protected and I think we need to stay in touch with that,” she added.

(It’s really normal to worry about debt because people don’t feel secure, and I think we need to be in touch with that.) g

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III (top) and Senator Risa Hontiveros Screengrabbed from Inquirer Youtube

Proposed rule would make hospital prices even more transparent

by Julie Appleby KFF Health News

“HOW much is the ice cream?” A simple enough question, featured on a new TV and online advertisement, posed by a man who just wants something cold. A woman behind the counter responds with a smile: “Prices? No, we don’t have those anymore. We have estimates.”

The satirical ad pretends to be a news report highlighting a “trend” in which more retail outlets take up “the hospital pricing method”: substituting estimates for actual prices for the cost of meals, merchandise on store shelves, and clothing. The scene ends with a partially deleted expletive from the ice cream-seeking man.

While the use of estimates in retail settings is imaginary and preposterous, the advertisement is part of an ongoing campaign by the advocacy group Patient Rights Advocate, which contends that some hospitals are still falling short of a law that went into effect in 2021 requiring them to publicly post their prices. Even then, said Cynthia Fisher, the group’s founder and chairperson, too many post estimates rather than exact dollarand-cent figures.

“People need price certainty,” said Fisher. “Estimates are a way of gaming the people who pay for health care.”

Although government data shows that hospitals’ compliance with price transparency rules has improved, updating the requirements of that law is the focus of a new proposal by the Biden administration, which aims to further standardize the required data, increase its usefulness for consumers, and boost enforcement. Even with all that, however, the goal of exact price tags in every situation is likely to remain elusive.

“We’re closer to that, but we’re not there,” said Gerard Anderson, a professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, who studies hospital pricing using the data that hospitals have already posted.

The proposed rule is designed to make it easier for consumers to learn in advance exactly what they might owe for nonemergency hospital care — though that was what the original price transparency rules were supposed to do.

Requiring hospitals to post their prices is part of a larger effort to make medical costs less opaque, which could help individual consumers predict their expenses and possibly slow health cost inflation, if it leads employers and insurers to contract with less expensive providers.

But the data files themselves are massive, often hard to find, and complex to decipher.

“Even for us, it’s really hard to use,” said Anderson.

Under current regulations, hospitals must publicly post prices for every service they offer, from drugs to

stitches to time a patient spends in an operating room, as well as show all the bundled costs associated with 300 “shoppable” services, which are things people can plan for, such as a hip replacement or having a baby. Several different prices are required, including those they’ve negotiated with insurers and what they charge cash-paying customers.

Similar regulations, but with more prescriptive details and tougher penalties for noncompliance, went into effect for insurance companies in 2022, requiring them to post prices not only for hospital care, but also for outpatient centers and physician services.

The new hospital requirements proposed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services help “catch up to what they did with health plans,” said Hal Andrews, CEO and president of Trilliant Health, a market research and analysis company.

“It’s a step down the path to making the data more accessible” to data analysis firms that create online price comparison tools, said Jeff Leibach, a partner at the consulting firm Guidehouse. “And, ultimately, consumers who want to shop will then find this data more easily.” Many hospitals, insurers, and thirdparty data firms have made such cost comparison tools available.

Even the new requirements may not resolve the demand that is central to the dystopian ad’s ice cream-seeking man: getting exact prices, in dollars and cents. Such specificity may remain elusive for some consumers, if only because of the nature of medical care.

“Each patient is unique and uses a slightly different bundle of services,” said Anderson of Johns Hopkins. “You might be in the operating room for 30 minutes, or it might be 45. You might need this lab test and not that one.”

The proposed rule would, for one thing, further standardize the data required so that reporting is more comparable between facilities. It also mandates hospitals make their data sets easier to find on their websites, which could help data aggregators and consumers alike, and puts administrators in the hot seat to attest that their hospitals have posted all the required information accurately.

Individual hospitals that fail to post properly would face additional publicity by federal regulators: “Consider it a public naughty list,” said Marcus Dorstel, vice president of operations at data analysis firm Turquoise Health, which provides an online tool consumers can use to check prices across hospitals.

In addition, the proposal adds a data category awkwardly called “consumerfriendly expected allowed charges,” aimed at giving more information tied to the varied ways hospitals set prices. In plainer language, those allowed amounts are what hospitals expect to be reimbursed by insurance

companies.

Some experts say that will be helpful.

For example, Dorstel said, currently a service might not be listed as a particular dollar amount, but the hospital will show the price is based on “70% of charges.”

“Without the expected allowed amount, that doesn’t tell you anything,” Dorstel said.

Still, critics — such as Patient Rights Advocate, the group behind the new ad campaign — say that nodding to such allowed amounts will lead to even more estimates, rather than what they prefer: dollar-and-cent assessments.

“You and I would not buy a blouse at an average estimated amount,” said Fisher.

Health care isn’t like blouses or ice cream, responded executives from the American Hospital Association when asked about the advertisement and Fisher’s concerns about exact, upfront amounts. In many situations, for example, it may be hard to know ahead of time exactly what kind of care a patient will need.

“Very few health services are so straightforward where you can expect no variation in the course of care,” which could then result in a different cost than the original assessment,” said Molly Smith, AHA’s group vice president for public policy. “Organizations are doing the best they can to provide the closest estimate. If something changes in the course of your care, that estimate might adjust.”

While hospitals’ compliance with posting price information has improved, it still falls short, said Fisher, whose group in a July report said only 36% of 2,000 hospitals it reviewed complied with all aspects of the current law, marking as deficient those that had incomplete data fields or used formulas instead of dollar prices.

But the American Hospital Association says Fisher’s group “misconstrues” hospital compliance, in part because hospitals are allowed to leave spaces blank, if, for example, they don’t have a cash-only price. And formulas are allowed if that is how the prices are set.

The hospital group points instead to a CMS report from earlier this year that showed compliance was increasing year over year. It said 70% of hospitals were compliant with the current requirements of the law.

It took some doing to get that far.

Since 2021, the federal government has sent more than 900 warning letters to hospitals about their posted data, with most resolving those concerns, according to the proposed rule. Four hospitals have been fined for failing to comply with the transparency law.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Peso nearly hits...

Governor Eli Remolona Jr., the depreciation of the peso against the greenback was due to the decision of the U.S. Federal Reserve to raise key policy rates by another 25 basis points, translating to a narrower trade differential of 75 basis points.

Likewise, Remolona also cited the decision by Fitch Ratings to downgrade the credit rating of the U.S. to AA+ from AAA.

He explained that the peso has depreciated by 0.56 percent, making it the fourth least depreciated currency in the region after the Indian rupee’s 0.07 percent, Vietnamese dong’s 0.40 percent and Singaporean dollar’s 0.42 percent.

“Compared to our neighbors, the peso has weakened only slightly. The peso is somewhere in the middle,” the BSP chief said.

External inflows from remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) along with foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows continue to help build up the country’s foreign exchange buffer.

Although the country’s gross international reserve (GIR) level fell below the $100 billion level in May and June, Remolona said the foreign exchange buffer remains ample.

“These reserves provide a cushion against negative global spillovers. Our reserves have hovered around

$100 billion, we expect it to remain at roughly the same level in the coming years. We need these reserves because we think the world will slow down next year and the following years especially because of what the Fed has done,” he said.

Most economists expect the central bank’s Monetary Board to keep interest rates untouched anew on Aug. 17 amid the inflation downtrend and the disappointing gross domestic product (GDP) growth recorded for the second quarter of the year.

“We now anticipate the Monetary Board may opt for a hawkish hold beginning Aug. 17 to assess the inflation risks amid slowing growth and commit to possible actions should inflation risks escalate, chief of which may be a possible sharp spike in oil prices,” Security Bank chief economist Robert Dan Roces said.

Remolona reiterated that the decision of the Monetary Board would continue to be data-dependent as inflation eased for six straight months to 4.7 percent in July from a peak of 8.7 percent in January, while GDP growth slowed significantly to 4.3 percent in the second quarter from 6.4 percent in the first quarter.

“We will go where the data will lead us but sometimes the data don’t seem to know where to go,” he told participants of the economic briefing. g

P100-million funding sought...

PAGE 2

In the 2021 NEP, a similar item was allotted P41.4 billion, but in the proposed 2024 spending program, no such item appears.

In a privilege speech on Tuesday, Estrada again denied China’s claim that Philippine officials, including Cabinet members of his father, then President Joseph Estrada, had promised to remove BRP Sierra Madre from the shoal.

Such a claim “defies logic,” according to the younger Estrada.

“Ayungin Shoal is not just a piece of land; it symbolizes our assertions of sovereignty and our dedication to upholding international law,” he said, citing the Philippines’ 2016 arbitral victory against China’s sweeping claims in the region.

According to National Security Council spokesperson Jonathan Malaya, the country’s new national security policy (NSP) has again shifted to territorial defense from the previous administration’s focus on internal security.

He said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. issued an executive order over the weekend adopting and approving the new policy from this year to 2028.

“If you read the new NSP, it highlights external security challenges, particularly the West Philippine Sea, China, Taiwan Straits, the nuclear proliferation threat in the Korean Peninsula and Ukraine,” Malaya said on Radyo 630.

This was unlike the Duterte administration when the NSP considered communist insurgents and local terrorist groups as the country’s biggest threats. g

Sentinels of sovereignty

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has spoken, and awarded the Philippines sovereign rights over Ayungin or Second Thomas Shoal. The United States, the European Union, the Group of Seven and Australia, among others, have publicly recognized the PCA ruling, which also invalidated China’s socalled nine-dash-line claim over nearly all of the South China Sea.

So it’s time for the Philippines to more forcefully assert those sovereign rights, awarded in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which both the country and China have affirmed. Based on UNCLOS, the PCA defined the Philippines’ maritime entitlements within its 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone.

Editorial

The PCA ruling specifically awarded the Philippines sovereign rights over Ayungin, Panganiban or Mischief Reef and Recto or Reed Bank, and ruled that China has no right to shoo away anyone from Panatag or Scarborough Shoal. Beijing has refused to vacate Panganiban, where it first built huts that it claimed were fishermen’s shelters. The reef has since been converted into an artificial island, with the huts transformed into a multistory concrete military installation.

With the arbitral award, the Philippines can claim the right to develop Ayungin, or at least

to upgrade the facility that houses a Marine outpost. The rusty, World War II-vintage BRP Sierra Madre looks like a badly injured whale beached on Ayungin. In 1999, the administration of Joseph Estrada deliberately ran aground the vessel on the shoal. His defense secretary at the time, Orlando Mercado, has denied that Estrada made any promise to the Chinese that the ship would be removed. President Marcos has said that even if any such commitment was made, he was rescinding it.

What the current administration can do is support moves in Congress to upgrade the Ayungin outpost to something befitting the military personnel assigned to the shoal, who are sentinels of the nation’s sovereignty. Unlike the artificial island building undertaken by the Chinese, the improvement of the Ayungin outpost should not destroy the marine environment.

Several senators are pushing for the allocation of at least P100 million in 2024 for permanent improvements in Ayungin, such as the provision of a pier and decent lodgings for the personnel stationed there as well as fishermen of all nationalities who might seek shelter during bad weather. The proposed funding will be under civilian agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Philippine

Coast Guard, which is under the Department of Transportation.

The Chinese coast guard, unlike other such services in most countries, is not a civilian agency but is under its Central Military Commission. The Philippines cannot match the military resources of the world’s second largest economy. But the Philippines can give its Marines stationed in Ayungin the decent facilities that they deserve. (Philstar.com)

We support and stand by our Philippine Coast Guard

its mouthpiece as unpatriotic and a traitor to our country.

PHILIPPINE Coast Guard spokesperson Commodore

Jay Tarriela correctly called out a few misguided Filipinos who defend China’s aggression and even act like

The views expressed

“If you are a Filipino, whether in government or private sector, regardless of your politics, defending and making excuses for China’s aggressive behavior should deem you unpatriotic, and a traitor to the Philippines and to our people. Given

current developments in the West Philippine Sea, it is important to show loyalty to country.

“While I recognize freedom of speech as an important right guaranteed by our constitution, it should not be misused as a means to justify unpatriotic actions by acting as China’s

mouthpiece,” Tarriela posted on Twitter, underscoring that all Filipinos should “stand united in protecting our nation’s interest” in the wake of China’s unlawful and aggressive behavior in the West Philippine Sea, whose rich resources are for Filipinos.

Commodore Tarriela’s post

– which has since garnered hundreds of thousands of views and shared on social media platforms such as Facebook – has elicited strong reactions and angry comments, describing these “traitors” as descendants of the “Makapili” who collaborated with the enemy and betrayed fellow Filipinos

during World War II. No one can really blame the PCG spokesman for expressing such sentiments because if anything, the members of the Philippine Coast Guard are at the frontline in defending our country’s maritime territory from encroachment, with

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Dateline PhiliPPines

Former top diplomat Locsin named special envoy to China

by Gaea Katreena CabiCo Philstar.com

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has appointed former foreign affairs chief Teodoro Locsin Jr. as his special envoy to China for special concerns, Malacañang announced on Wednesday, August 16.

His appointment comes amid escalating tensions in the West Philippine Sea after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at Philippine vessels on a resupply mission.

In September 2022, Locsin was named the ambassador to the United Kingdom, with jurisdiction over Ireland, the Isle of Man, Bailiwick of Jersey and Bailiwick of Guernsey. It is unclear whether he would keep his post as ambassador to London.

Locsin was foreign affairs secretary from 2018 until the end of the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte Jr.

In 2021, Locsin told Beijing on Twitter to “get the f**k out” of the resourcerich waters—which China claims almost entirely—after months of swarming of

Chinese vessels inside the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Locsin later apologized to Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Last week, the Philippines summoned Huang and protested China’s “illegal actions” after the China Coast Guard blocked and fired water cannons at boats on a resupply mission. China defended its actions as “professional” and “restrained.” g

SWS: 47% of Filipinos ‘competent’ with English language

MANILA – Almost half of Filipino adults nationwide are competent with the English language, according to the latest Social Weather Stations survey.

The poll, conducted from March 26 to 29, 2023, showed that at least 47 percent of Filipinos have the

ability to think in English.

The March survey also revealed that Filipino adults’ understanding of spoken and written English was at 80 percent.

In terms of their skills in writing or speaking English, SWS said 69 percent of Filipinos write the language,

while 55 percent speak the language. Only around 9 percent do not apply any of these skills.

Meanwhile, the pollster said the usage of the English language has been at its highest since September 2000.

‘No public funds spent on Palace fashion show’

MANILA — Malacañang defended on Monday, August 14 a fashion show held inside the Palace last week, saying no public funds were used for the event.

Deputy social secretary Dina Arroyo Tantoco made the response following criticism of the fashion show dubbed “Isang Pilipinas,” which was held at the Goldenberg Mansion on Aug. 8, featuring the collection of fashion designer Michael Leyva.

“The government does not spend anything on the event because it is paid for by the designers and private institutions they partner with,” Tantoco said in a statement.

This was the third of the “Fashion at Goldenberg” series project of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. Tantoco said the objective of the fashion show series is to provide a platform for Filipino artists to show their

work in a historical setting “relevant to our cultural Identity.”

“The output is a collaboration between various creatives in the industry and creates awareness, thereby generating demand, for local fabrics and designs which have always been instrumental in our cultural identity,” she said. Militant farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) said on Saturday, Auugst 12 the fashion show was inappropriate as the county “is deep in debt.”

KMP chairman Danilo Ramos earlier challenged other sectors to criticize the “extravagant” spending habit of the First Family.He said the event happened after many Filipinos were affected by recent calamities and the rising prices of rice, food and other commodities. (Helen Flores/ Philstar.com)

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More flights, passengers cause long queues at NAIA, says transport security

by Benjamin L. Vergara ManilaTimes.net

AN increase in flights and passengers have resulted in slow processing and long passenger queues at the final security checks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) said on Wednesday, August 16.

The OTS issued the statement following a recent review that labelled NAIA as among the worst airports in Asia.

“Based on our security screening procedures, we aim to process each passenger within a maximum of 1.5 minutes. However, this may vary depending on whether or not the passenger is carrying any prohibited items in their person or luggage,” OTS spokesman Kim Marquez said.

The OTS said NAIA security screening procedures are aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

“We can say that it is the same procedures implemented by other member states around the world. The queuing at our airports is affected by the number of passengers traveling at any given time such as in the case of NAIA,” Marquez said.

Based on the study by vacation rental management firm Casago, NAIA ranked 8th among the 10 worst airports while Singapore’s Changi International Airport, on the other hand, is considered the world’s best in giving a smooth experience to passengers.

“It is true that queuing at airports can be affected by the number of passengers traveling at any given time, as we have experienced at NAIA due to the recent increase

PH House expels Teves over failure to return to country, terrorist tag

by Cristina Chi Philstar.com

MANILA —The House of Representatives on Wednesday, August 16 voted to expel Rep. Arnolfo Teves (Negros Oriental) over his continued absence from Congress and his recent designation as a terrorist by the Anti-Terrorism Council.

The House has given Teves the harshest disciplinary action possible after suspending him twice for his failure to face his colleagues in the lower chamber and for seeking political asylum outside the country.

The House ethics panel’s recommendation to expel Teves, which received 265 favorable votes, 0 negative votes and three abstentions, was based on a number of reasons related to his refusal to resume duties as a lawmaker.

Compared to the panel’s reasons for recommending Teves’ suspension – first on March 20 and then again on

May 31 — the committee this time took into consideration Teves’ designation as a terrorist by the AntiTerrorism Council in its decision. This “reflects the discredit on the House,” the panel stated in its committee report.

In particular, the House ethics panel said it arrived at its decision after it took “painstaking time and effort to inquire with several concerned national government agencies” that could detail recent developments with regard to

Teves’ actions.

The House ethics panel recommended Teves’ expulsion for the following reasons:

- Teves’ ongoing and persistent pursuit of his application for political

File photo of suspended Negros Oriental Rep. Arnolfo “Arnie Teves Jr. Philstar.com photo

PH House expels Teves...

asylum in the country of Timor-Leste;

- Teves’ continuous absence without leave in the House of Representatives in violation of the House Rules;

- Teves’ designation as a terrorist by the Antiterrorism Council-among other criminal charges which reflects discredit on the House of Representatives;

- Teves’ indecent behavior portrayed in social media which reflects discredit on the House of Representatives and diminishes the stature of the position.

“And the main basis for this recommendation is his continuous absence without leave in the House of Representatives by his persistent pursuit of political asylum in Timor-Leste. This constitutes abandonment of Public Office and violation of his Oath of Office as House Member,” the committee report read.

House Ethics Committee Chairperson Felimon Espares also cited the “landmark case of Osmeña vs. Pendatun” wherein the Supreme Court declared that House lawmakers’ parliamentary immunity does not absolve them of responsibility before the legislative body

itself whenever they show disorderly behavior.

“It affirmed that the power to determine which acts constitute disorderly behavior rests entirely in the wisdom of each chamber of Congress,” Espares said.

Teves, who has been repeatedly urged by the House and by the president himself to return to the country to face charges against him, is still overseas and was last located in Timor-Leste. He has said in multiple press conferences that he refuses to return to the country due to fears for his and his family’s safety.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla previously asserted that Teves is the primary mastermind behind the killing of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo, describing him as an “executive producer” of the plan. Teves has consistently denied this allegation.

Terror tag

The Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves as a terrorist on August 2 — a move that Makabayan bloc lawmakers earlier criticized as an unnecessary step by the government in going after the embattled lawmaker.

(Kabataan Partylist), among the three who abstained from adopting the House ethics panel’s recommendation, said that he chose not to vote due to the “very questionable” character of the Anti-Terrorism Council.

“I abstain from voting on this matter because, in the first place, the committee report should not have included what was being pressed on by the ATC, which is a very questionable body in our country right now,” Manuel said during the plenary session.

Murder charges have already been filed against Teves, Prosecutor General Benedicto Malcontento said this week.

Teves’ counsel, Ferdinand Topacio, earlier told reporters that the House ethics panel should defer its proceedings pending the court’s decision on Teves’ liability or lack of it on the crimes he is being accused of.

We support and stand by our...

no less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. recognizing the PCG’s role in “defending our economic zones and our baselines.”

Aside from defending our territory, the PCG is also tasked with protecting Filipino fishermen and ensuring their safety while they engage in fishing activities which have been their source of livelihood for generations. Absolutely no one doubts the kind of harassment and bullying that Filipino fishermen have been subjected to by Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels that shadow the fishing boats, forcing them to leave traditional fishing grounds that are within our exclusive economic zone.

from our countrymen, including patriotic legislators like Senator Francis Tolentino and Senate President Migz Zubiri who declared, “I stand… with our Coast Guard men and women as they face hostile actions by intruders right on our very own seas.”

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who has been very outspoken, is also getting so much respect. “China is not a friend. She is not even a good neighbor. Hindi tayo papayag na wala tayong gawin habang inaabuso at inaalipusta niya ang ating mga kababayan sa sarili nating karagatan (We will not just do nothing while they abuse and insult our countrymen in our own seas),” she said.

in flights and passenger traffic,” Marquez stressed.

This is not the first time that the country’s main gateway was tagged as among the worst airports in Asia.

A travel website Guide to Sleeping in Airports also branded the NAIA as

Rep. Raoul Manuel

among the world’s worst airports in 2011.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the operator of NAIA, has been working to improve the airport facilities and passenger handling system.

The airport authority on Tuesday, August 15 conducted a five-hour

electrical maintenance and upgrade at Terminal 3 to improve the current state and condition of the terminal’s electrical system.

MIAA officer in charge Bryan Co has assured there will be no disruption on flight operations during the maintenance work. g

Teves’ lawyer Ferdinand Topacio previously told reporters that the House ethics committee should hold off on giving its recommendations to the body until the court decides if Teves is guilty of the charges filed against him. g SWS:

47% of Filipinos ‘competent’...

The survey showed that Filipinos who use English fully jumped from 5 percent in December 2016 to 9 percent in March 2023.

Those who fairly use the language also increased from 28 percent in 2016 to 35 percent in 2023, while those who use it partially only declined from 43 percent in 2016 to 41 percent in 2023.

Only 14 percent have no use of the language in 2023.

The same survey also revealed that at least three out of four adult Filipinos, or

75 percent, are competent with the Filipino language.

SWS said that in March 2023, 96 percent of Filipinos read Filipino, 93 percent understand spoken Filipino, 93 percent write Filipino, 87 percent speak Filipino, while only 1 percent do not apply any of these skills.

Filipinos’ usage of the Filipino language, according to SWS, is at its highest as well since September 2000.

The first quarter 2023 SWS survey showed that 53 percent fully use the Filipino language, 29 percent fairly

use it, 15 percent partially use it, and 4 percent almost have no use of it.

This is an improvement from the 2016 level of 49 percent for full usage, 23 percent for fair usage, and 6 percent for almost no usage, while the partial usage for 2016 was slightly higher at 22 percent.

The First Quarter 2023 Social Weather Survey was conducted using face-to-face interviews of 1,200 adults aged 18 and above nationwide. It had a sampling error margin of ± 2.8 percent. (PNA)

Filipinos rely on our fishermen for the supply of fish which is a staple food, but according to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Chinese incursions have contributed to the decline of fish production in 2022 – which is ironic considering that we have one of the longest coastlines in the world, even longer than the United States or China.

China’s bullying and aggression is a highly emotional issue for patriotic Filipinos so when they hear a few misguided, “intellectually stupid” people acting like China’s apologists, justifying the reprehensible actions of Chinese Coast Guard and militia vessels in the West Philippine Sea, it really makes them feel so angry. It will not be surprising if it drives them to become a lynch mob.

The recent incident where the Chinese Coast Guard conducted dangerous maneuvers and sprayed water cannons at two Philippine boats carrying rice, water, vegetables and other food supplies for troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal is just another example of the relentless harassment and bullying that we have been facing for years. While China keeps professing that it wants to resolve maritime disputes through “peaceful means,” clearly its actions indicate otherwise.

At the Singapore Shangri-La Dialogue last June, Commodore Tarriela pointedly asked Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu: “While China is talking about dialogue, China’s actions show confrontation. Why is there a big difference between China’s words and its actions?” The Chinese Defense Minister did not give a direct answer.

Like so many Filipinos, we commend the men and women of the Philippine Coast Guard who are true patriots, and it’s no surprise that they are getting a lot of support

The response of the President to China’s claims that the Philippines promised to remove the BRP Sierra Madre, an active Philippine Navy commissioned vessel (which was deliberately grounded in Ayungin Shoal in 1999 and currently a military outpost manned by Philippine Marines), also uplifted the spirits of Filipinos.

“I’m not aware of any agreement that the Philippines should remove from its own territory, its own ship, the BRP Sierra Madre, from the Ayungin Shoal. And let me go further – if there does exist such an agreement, I rescind that agreement as of now,” the president said.

Saying “the Philippines has not and will never enter into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over Ayungin Shoal,” National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya challenged the Chinese government to identify the person or persons who made such promise to them.

Support is mounting for the proposal to refurbish BRP Sierra Madre, with Senate President Migz saying the Senate will fund a request, hailing our “brave men and women of the Marines and Navy” who deserve “our unconditional support as they sacrifice themselves for us.”

More and more countries are joining Filipinos worldwide in condemning China’s aggression and violation of our sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea. More importantly, true Filipinos support our troops.

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.

PAGE 5

HEALTHY SNACK. A vendor repacks yellow corn piled on his wooden cart in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City on Tuesday, August 15. A three-piece pack sells between PHP30 and PHP40, depending on the size. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

More flights, passengers cause long...

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Atty. Gurfinkel answers more immigration questions from Kapamilya in Manila on Citizen Pinoy

LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel provides answers to more immigration inquiries from Kapamilya in the Philippines in the third installment of Citizen Pinoy’s “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in Manila.

• Gemma wants to know if she can bring her special daughter, Evita, to the U.S. once she is petitioned by her other daughter, who is a U.S. citizen.

• Jerome overstayed in the U.S. in 2016 because he had to take care of his sick uncle. He wants to know if he can still apply for a tourist visa despite overstaying the last time.

• Max, a lawful permanent resident, went to the Philippines four years ago for his vacation. Unfortunately, he has not been able to return to the U.S. because of COVID. Max is asking if he can return to the U.S. if his green card expires in 2024.

• Jobelle aged out of her father’s employment-based petition. All her family members are now in the U.S. She wants to know if the Child Status Protection Act can help her case.

ATTY. MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL ANSWERS MORE IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA IN MANILA ON PART 3 OF “YOUR TANONG, MY SAGOT.” Here are the questions that Atty. Gurfinkel answers – From Jerome (top left): Is it still possible for me to get another tourist visa to the U.S. if I overstayed in 2016 because I had to take care of my sick uncle?; From Jobelle (top right): I aged out of my father’s employment-based petition as a derivative. Can the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) help me get to the U.S.?; From Max (bottom right): Since I arrived in the Philippines four years ago for a vacation, I have not been able to return to the U.S. because of COVID. How can I go back to the U.S. if my green card expires in 2024?; From Gemma (bottom left): Can I bring my special daughter, Evita, to the U.S. with me when my other U.S. citizen daughter petitions me? Tune in for the answers to these questions on Part 3 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” from Manila, on a brandnew episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 20 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/ Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

CONSCIOUS brushing

Oro-dental health parallels cardiac health. Poor oral hygiene from neglect or improper oral care does not only lead to disgusting halitosis (bad breath) and dental carries/gingivitis, but also to increased risk for heart attack and stroke.

Conscious brushing is a method of dental care that provides the greatest chance of cleaning all the teeth, gums, tongue, and the whole mouth. The individual focuses and concentrates totally on flossing all the inter-dental (between teeth) crevices, and brushing each tooth consciously, the top and all reachable sides of each tooth. I prefer a soft brush and toothpaste with baking soda and peroxide, but most dental pastes are acceptable. The gums and the entire mouth are brushed gently, including the throat. Using a tongue scraper, from all the way back, forward to the tip, removes bacteria loaded thick mucus. The tongue is a great major source of bacteria and halitosis. Gurgling helps flush out food particles in between teeth. The final step is the use of mouth rinse, preferably with stabilized chlorine dioxide. The less expensive alternative is to add a teaspoon of salt or two tablespoonful of hydrogen peroxide to a glass of water and use this as a mouth rinse, at least twice a day. And visit your dentist every 6 months, or more often if needed.

Food for the brain

With the scary threat of developing Alzheimer’s dementia, most everyone wonders what could be done to ward off this terrible nightmare, a disease worse than any other – even cancer, even death. The severe toll is not only on the individual but on the entire family, especially the spouse.

While the Alzheimer’s syndrome is not totally

known, especially on how to fully prevent it or treat it, one thing is clear: our diet affects our brain, our heart, and our whole being. Currently, plant-based diet (rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and other antioxidants) is the now evidence-based approach to disease prevention and in some cases, to cure, and even to maximize longevity, as stated in the book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children” (link: philipSchua.com), which is listed in the U.S. Library of Congress.

The book is a primer on healthy lifestyle starting from the womb and in the crib to protect DNA and to prevent major illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s and even cancer from ever occurring when children grow up, which also includes daily exercise; abstinence from tobacco, vaping, illegal drugs; adhering to a disciplined approach to alcohol; and stress management with weekend breaks and regular vacation/staycations with friends and family.

The simple strategy is to fill up 3/4 of your plate with vegetables of various colors, some fruits and nuts, and the remaining 1/4 with fish (wildcaught, not farm-raised), chicken (without the skin), or beef or pork (not more than 12 ounces). Abstaining from red meat and processed meats (bacon, hot dogs, sausages, etc.) is a healthier option to reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke, T2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer. Most cancers, like pancreatic and colon cancers, are linked to eating red meat.

Soft drinks are slow-acting poison

Soft drinks in general, cola or uncola, diet or regular, caffeinated or flavored or not, are all toxic to the body, especially to children. These beverages increase the risk for metabolic syndrome, a cluster of medical conditions that leads to the development of high blood pressure, T2 diabetes, heart attack, and

Health tips

stroke. The effective use of cola drinks to unplug a blocked sink drain or toilet or its use to clean car carburetors illustrates the abrasiveness of this beverage. Imagine what it does to our body when we ingest them. The harmful effects take years. Taking this slow-acting poison ourselves and allowing our children to do the same is irrational, careless, and endangering the health of the entire family. The healthiest drink is still clean, unadulterated, filtered water. And less expensive too.

Our filthy environment

It might be surprising to some that our whole environment – our entire home, office, public areas –is literally filthy, becoming evident when various surfaces are tested and cultured for germs and examined under the microscope. We constantly live and cohabitate with bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, parasites, etc., from the day we were born, and have developed a certain level of tolerance of them. That’s because our immune system has adapted to our Mother Earth.

When our immunity goes down, through poor nutrition or care, or illnesses, or immuno-suppressed by chemo/radiation treatment for cancer, or by AIDS, or when born with immune deficiency syndrome, the dose of these germs around us could overpower us and cause diseases. Hand washing, or bathing, does not totally eliminate the germs in us; they merely reduce the dose to a level that our individual immune system is able to handle and prevent illnesses. Even surgeons brushing their hands for 1015 minutes in preparation for surgery still has residual germs in their hands, the reason why they follow this up with alcohol or betadine soak.

All our rooms at home are teeming with bacteria, especially the kitchen, more than the toilet, believe it or not. This why personal cleanliness is utmost, and

cleaning our home regularly, daily for the kitchen and bathrooms, more intensely every week, is important in warding off contamination and diseases. I personally stay away from chemical cleansing agents, which has some health and ecological hazards. I use a new modified quadruple 5 formula for a concoction as a home-made cleansing spray agent: 50 cc regular vinegar, 50 cc alcohol, 5 cc dishwashing soap, mixed with 500 cc water, poured into two spray bottles. Safer, cheaper, and readily (refill) available than chemical cleansing agents sold in stores.

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

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.

* * *

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

Yassi on alleged ‘romance’ with Sandro

by HannaH MallorCa Inquirer.net

Atty. Gurfinkel answers...

PAGE 11

Atty. Gurfinkel answers these questions in the third installment of “Your Tanong, My Sagot” in Manila. Watch this brand-new episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, August 20 at 6:30 PM PT

(9:30 PM ET through select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Jolina dreams of acting with Charo

By Dale Calanog Inquirer.net

ALREADY a veteran in show business, Jolina Magdangal shared there’s still a lot of roles she wants to play, and hopes for an acting project with Charo Santos.

“Gusto ko makatrabaho si Tita Charo — si Ma’am Charo (I would like to work with Tita Charo — Ma’am Charo),” said the actress-singer during an interview uploaded on Star Magic’s YouTube channel.

Magdangal, who has been in the entertainment industry for over 30 years, recalled having a chance to work with Santos while the former was filming for her “Payong Kaibigan” segment of the 90s youth-oriented program “Ang TV.”

“Kasi dati no’ng nakatrabaho ko siya no’ng bata pa ‘ko, parang ininterview ko lang siya (I got to work with her when I was young, but I only sort of interviewed her),” shared the

viral on social media.

Pressman, who just admitted to breaking up with Canada basedentrepreneur Jon Semira, told a 24 Oras interview on Tuesday, Aug. 15, that she and Marcos are just friends.

“‘Yung mga nakikita ko po (na balilta) kay Sandro [Marcos], hindi po ‘yun totoo

at all. Tawang-tawa nga po kami (The reports linking me and Sandro Marcos are not true at all. We find those funny),” she said.

The actress then noted that their viral video, which has since been taken down from @_kitkatsz’s Tiktok page, added

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel answers questions of Kapamilya from Manila – Gemma Zamora (left) and Jerome Lee (right).

Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel is shown here with Max King Cruz (left photo) and with Jobelle Lapira (right photo).

Jolina Magdangal Photo from

YASSI Pressman denied rumors of a romance with presidential son, Ilocos Norte Rep. Sandro Marcos, weeks after a video of them enjoying each other’s company at a private gathering went

Exploring iconic Singapore flavors at Urban Hawker

By MoMar G. Visaya AJPress

IMMERSE yourself in the vibrant tastes of Singapore at Urban Hawker, a one-ofa-kind culinary destination bringing the essence of UNESCO-certified Hawker Centres to the heart of Manhattan. Featuring a rich array of cuisines including Malay, Peranakan, Chinese, Indian, and more, Urban Hawker offers a diverse and flavorful journey through Singapore’s street food culture.

Yassi on alleged...

malice to their friendship due to the use of certain editing effects.

“Nalagyan lang po ng malisya dahil na-slow mo, nalagyan ng music (It just added malice because the video had a slow-mo edit and music),” she pointed out.

During the interview, the “Kurdapya” star also revealed that she and Semira have been separated for quite some time, although she didn’t clarify how long it has been since their split.

“Sa totoo lang, matagal na po kaming naghiwalay. I’m very, very grateful to Jon. He’s a great person, sobrang mabait po talaga. Pero sana, people just respect our privacy and siya rin po, he’s a very private person,” she said. (Honestly, we’ve broken up a long time ago. I’m very,

EMPLOYMENT

very grateful to Jon. He’s a great person, he’s very nice. But I hope that people just respect our privacy and he’s a very private person.)

Semira confirmed his split with Pressman through a joint Instagram post on Aug. 16, where he also denied a third party was involved in their break-up. This comes after their engagement video, which was uploaded sometime in March, surfaced on social media after it was obtained by INQUIRER.net from a source.

While both Semira and PrThe “Black Rider” star is currently linked to a scion of a political clan, Camarines Sur Gov. Luigi Villafuerte, where they’ve been spotted together on recent sightings. Despite this, she has yet to address the romance rumors between them. g

Curated by KF Seetoh, the visionary behind the World Street Food Congress and Makansutra, Urban Hawker presents an authentic Singaporean street food experience. Situated in the bustling metropolis of New York City, this culinary center is the first in the United States to showcase stalls directly from Singapore’s UNESCO hawker centers. With a total of 17 vendors, Urban Hawker brings to life essential culinary traditions, from Southeast Asian delights to Asian-style Western favorites.

“I have always believed that our hawker food will be well-liked by the world. Why? Because it’s just good, humble heritage fare that the world will love, too,” said KF Seetoh. This sentiment underscores the universal appeal of Singaporean hawker food, which he has always believed would captivate global palates.

Urban Hawker recently had a weeklong celebration of Singapore National Day, where visitors got a chance to join curator Seetoh on a VIP Market Tour. This engaging experience provided insights into Seetoh’s curation process, along with the intriguing backstory of how Makansutra, Anthony Bourdain, and the World Street Food Congress

converged to give birth to NYC’s very own hawker center.

Seetoh also justified the presence of a Filipino restaurant - Tradisyon - at Urban Hawker.

“There’s close to a million Filipinos in Singapore and the country has a population of only 5.5 million,” he told the Asian Journal. “You can find Filipinos all over Singapore - from doctors to finance managers to domestic helpers. Filipino food is part of Singapore cuisine like Indian, Indonesian and Malaysian, we eat a lot of lechon, adobo, and sinigang.”

Among the 17 vendors, each specializing in a unique culinary domain,

Urban Hawker showcases an array of delectable offerings:

• Wok & Staple by Dragon Phoenix: Preserving Chinese culinary traditions with a modern twist, this stall pays homage to iconic dishes that have become part of Singapore’s multi-racial food culture.

• White Restaurant: Known for its signature White Bee Hoon dish, this vendor offers a range of variations showcasing the flavorful blend of ingredients that earned it widespread acclaim.

• Daisy’s Dream: A testament to familial recipes, Daisy’s Dream shares the heartwarming story of its founder’s journey to serve authentic Singaporean Peranakan favorites.

• Mr Fried Rice: With its bold, wokfired fried rice dishes, Mr. Fried Rice brings flavorful combinations and Singapore-style Cantonese cuisine to the forefront.

• Hainan Jones: A collaboration between Makansutra and Chicken Rice masters, Hainan Jones is a celebration of Singapore’s renowned Hainanese Chicken Rice.

• Kopifellas: Boasting a sleek brand and Nanyang Kopi, Kopifellas brings the aromatic allure of freshly ground Robusta beans to New York City.

• Prawnaholic Collections: From prawn noodle dishes to Fried Oyster Omelets, this vendor captures the essence of Singaporean cuisine with a modern twist.

• Padi D’NYC: Presenting communal dining and signature dishes, Padi D’NYC offers an inviting atmosphere to savor Malay cuisine.

Yassi Pressman

Photo from Instagram/@yassipressman

KF Seetoh explains the special dishes prepared by some of Urban Hawker’s vendors for Singapore National Day. “When you eat the food, I want you to taste the culture,” he told the Asian Journal.

AJPress Photo by Momar G. Visaya

TRIBECA FESTIVAL FEATURES FIL-AM DIRECTOR’S FILM ‘MAHAL’

Michaela Ternasky-Holland: A journey of love, grief, and immersive storytelling

by MOMAR G. VISAYA / AJPress

In a world where storytelling takes on new dimensions through emerging technologies, Filipino American director and producer Michaela Ternasky-Holland stands at the forefront of innovation. Her latest creation, “Mahal,” a captivating immersive film, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival this year, leaving audiences in awe.

With its roots in her personal journey of grief and love, “Mahal” is a heartfelt tribute to her father and a testament to the power of storytelling as a means of healing.

For Michaela, the motivation to create “Mahal” as a love letter to her father and a platform to confront her grief journey was deeply personal. Originally conceptualized as a story about compromise, Michaela realized that she needed to share her experience of loss and her lifelong journey with grief.

“When I originally created an outline for Reimagined Volume II: Mahal II, it was a story about compromise,” she told the Asian Journal. “My producer and executive producer at Meta felt that the script needed more depth and clarity, and so I dug deep and realized it was time to share about my loss and life-long journey with grief.”

Michaela is an Emmy and Webby award-winning filmmaker who specializes in creating socially impactful stories using immersive and interactive technology. She is also an XR/metaverse creator, consultant, and speaker. (XR (Extended Reality) is an umbrella term for digital reality technology that works in tandem with physical reality, which includes virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and the metaverse.)

Translating personal grief into a film that resonates with others experiencing loss was a complex process for the young director. Collaborating with the project’s producer, Julie Cavaliere, and co-writer, Eleanor Thibeaux, they worked together to clarify how each deity in the film processes their grief. By infusing her own experiences into the later drafts of the script, Michaela ensured that the characters’ personal connections reflected the universal emotions of grief.

She shared, “I think the main piece that the team and I worked to unlock was to make sure none of the deity characters felt like an antagonist.

Rather, we wanted to be sure that the audience could empathize with all of the characters despite the conflict, destruction, and chaos that unfolds.”

In the story, grief is not a singular idea. Sun god Apolaki masks his denial by struggling to keep a level of normalcy and routine in his family, but moon goddess Mayari holds anger and resentment that smothers her will to carry on her familial legacy. Star goddess Tala disconnects and numbs herself by intensely focusing on her creative outlet, while powerless youngest sister Hanan forgets how to voice her own needs to support her family.

“Only when a shroud of darkness covers the earth, do the siblings learn how to forgo their pride and stubbornness to begin the vulnerable phase of accepting their loss,” Michaela explained. “Ultimately, Mahal asks the question of what would happen in our world if we allowed ourselves and others to express depression, numbness, guilt, anger, and loneliness outside of the construct of time and space. Would our actions outweigh those consequences? Can healing even begin until our raw pain is truly seen and heard by our chosen family?”

The title “Mahal” itself holds great significance, derived from the Tagalog word for love. However, it also takes on the meaning of “costly” or “expensive.”

“Reimagined Volume II: Mahal” tells a story of how love comes at a cost. It revolves around four grieving siblings who, after losing their father, must confront their emotional isolation to save the world from the peril caused by their pain.

Capturing the essence of grief and healing in an immersive film format presented its own challenges. Michaela

Michaela Ternasky-Holland

UPAAA invites UP alumni and friends to grand reunion and convention

Former VP Robredo, UP President Jimenez top speakers

By Manuel l. Caballero ManilaTimes.net

Alex looks forward to having own baby after visit to Toni’s newborn: ‘Always have faith’

By anne Pasajol Inquirer.net

AFTER her visit to her sister Toni Gonzaga and newly born niece Paulina Celestine, Alex Gonzaga seemed emotional as she expressed her yearning to have a child of her own.

Alex opened up about this through her TikTok page, showing a video of her and her husband Mikee Morada arriving at their home after meeting Paulina and attending one of their nieces’ first birthday.

After changing into their sleepwear, the actress-TV host was seen snuggling up with Morada on their couch while watching television.

“One day, we will not end a happy day with just the two of us. It’s gonna be the ‘three of us,’” a caption in the video read. “But we’re genuinely happy for our family. Just

dreaming and thinking of our time.”

“Today was all about celebrating our siblings’ cute babies. It just hit me when we were watching TV together before we sleep,” Alex added. “Always have faith.”

A lot of fans who are also experiencing the same situation offered comfort to the actress-TV host, reminding her that she will be blessed with what she has been wishing for in God’s perfect time.

Alex and Morada tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony in November 2020.

Alex revealed in October 2021 that she had suffered from a miscarriage after having an anembryonic pregnancy or blighted ovum. According to Mayo Clinic, this occurs when a fertilized egg cell never develops or stops developing. g

Exploring iconic...

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• Mamak’s Corner: Showcasing authentic Singaporean Indian cuisine, Mamak’s Corner delivers flavorful and comforting dishes that resonate with guests.

• Smokin’ Joe: Featuring a unique build-your-own concept with Hainan Western fare, Smokin’ Joe offers a taste of British colonial-era cuisine.

• Lady Wong: A destination for delectable cakes and kuih, Lady Wong pays homage to traditional Malaysian flavors.

• Jakarta Munch: Introducing Indonesian cuisine to New Yorkers, Jakarta Munch offers a range of build-your-own Indonesian rice and salad bowls.

• Sling Bar: A celebration of Singapore Slings and local gins, Sling Bar presents a menu of semisweet, complex flavored cocktails.

• Yum Yubu: Celebrating Yubu, Yum Yubu offers rice-stuffed fried bean curd pockets with a variety of toppings.

• Tradisyon: Showcasing Filipino comfort food-style dishes, Tradisyon highlights Chef Anton Dayrit’s culinary vision.

• Dim Sum Darling: A concept by DFG Noodles, Dim Sum Darling offers addicting dumplings and custom spring rolls. g

THE University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) invites fellow alumni and friends of UP to attend its Grand Reunion and Convention (GRC) to be held at Hyatt Regency New Brunswick Hotel (by the campus of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ) on October 19-22, 2023.

Attendees may either attend the entire 4-day activities or decide only the days they wish to be present . Tickets (transport and lodging not included) range from $50 (per event) to $500

(entire 4-day events). UP alumni or non-alumni may reserve tickets at Eventbrite until October 16.

In addition to meeting fellow Up’ans, attendees will have the chance to meet (and perhaps to have selfie) and listen to the most inspiring and influential Filipino public speaker today, former PH Vice President Leni Leni Gerona Robredo (UP Diliman Class 86) on October 20 at 1:00 PM.

The former VP will be introduced by another empowered UP alumna, Author & Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis.

The next day, on Oct. 21, UP President Angelo Jimenez will report on the

state of UP today.

In a statement, UPAAA National President and GRC 2023 Chair,Jose M. David, MD said, “We look forward to welcoming UP alumni and their families, UPAAA friends and supporters from the U.S. and beyond, and new attendees to New Jersey, where UPAAA began.” (in 1981).

“With 20+ events and programs,” Dr. David added, “There is something for everyone at GRC 2023”.

He also said that he and the UPAAA Board of Directors are very excited for the opportunity to once again, celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding UP alumni in

America.

Come on down, fellow Iskolars ng Bayan, as well as, friends of UP. Remember the dates, Oct. 19-22, 2023.

The writer wishes to thank the following UPAAA officers for providing the materials used in this column: Dr. Joy Celo, Lisa Boquiren and Nelsie Parrado.

For questions, please email Lisa Boquiren, PRO, at press@upaaainamerica. org.

(The writer, Manuel Caballero, is a UP Diliman alumnus, Class ‘68, AB Political Science. He is a former UPAAA Outstanding Alumnus Awardee in Journalism). g

Jolina dreams of acting with...

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Kapamilya host, who added that they shot the segment’s interview scene while the former ABS-CBN president was on the set of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

The “Magandang Buhay” host, who has appeared in a couple of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episodes during its 31-year run, mentioned the idea of collaborating in a “drama” that would also cater to Santos’ “forte.”

Aside from the opportunity to work with an actor of Santos’ caliber, Magdangal is also looking forward to learning from the “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” actress off-cam.

“[G]usto ko siyang makawork kasi alam ko na habang hindi kami nagte-take, maraming-marami akong matututunan [sa kanya] (I would like to work with her because I know that while we’re not filming, I’ll learn so much from her),” she said, adding how there’s learning in just observing Santos’ actions. Magdangal, who — earlier in the interview — shared that there’s still a lot of roles she has yet to portray, hopes to take

on parts that involve suspense and thriller, if an opportunity outside of hosting comes her way.

After starring in “FlordeLiza,” her first series since returning to the Kapamilya network in 2014, the mom of two mentioned how she had been mostly doing hosting projects.

“Tsaka, ‘yung gusto ko ‘yung [role na] parang hindi mo akalaing siya pala ‘yung masama… Gusto ko mag-kontrabida (And also, I want a role that, like, you won’t expect is actually the villain… I want to play the role of an antagonist),” she further said.

For seven years now, she has co-hosted “Magandang Buhay” with “Pinoy Big Brother” winner Melai Cantiveros and — since last year — Regine Velasquez, who officially replaced Karla Estrada.

Before joining “Ang TV,” the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” judge was part of the musical group 14K — under the guidance of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab — which also had Arnee Hidalgo and Radha Tinsay. g

Michaela Ternasky-Holland: A journey of...

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wanted to ensure that the audience felt a deep connection to the grieving deity characters throughout the experience.  Navigating camera movements and edits to create seamless transitions without causing discomfort or disorientation was paramount. With the expertise of lead animator Lucas Smarker, the team tirelessly tested different techniques to achieve the desired effect.

“Grief and loss is an emotion that a lot of diverse audiences have had personal experience with,” she said. “My hope is that these diverse audiences can feel connected to these characters, to this theme, to this world in some way shape, or form, and I hope they feel empowered to see themselves as both powerful humans as well as imperfect gods and goddesses.”

Authentic representation of Filipino and Filipino American experiences was a priority in the casting process.

Working with SIDE LA, Michaela and her team reached out to the community, encouraging individuals with Filipino and Filipino American backgrounds to audition. The response was remarkable, resulting in an incredible cast that reflected the project’s authentic portrayal of Filipino culture.

With “Mahal,” Michaela aspires to offer solace and connection to audiences, particularly those who have experienced loss. She humbly acknowledges that the audience’s interpretation and takeaways are beyond her control.

“My mentor, Jacob Rosenberg, shared with me that once you create a film, you have to let the audience have it,” she shared. “It essentially means that you have to allow the audience to take what they want without you having any expectations.”

Michaela’s work has been featured in TIME, Forbes, The Guardian, Cannes Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, The New York

Public Library, The Nobel Peace Center, United Nations New York, and United Nations Vienna

She hopes “Mahal” would help contribute to the larger conversation around grief, healing, and the power of storytelling. By exploring the complexities of grief through the deities in the film, she hopes to encourage viewers to express and confront their own emotions.

Moving forward, Michaela plans to further explore themes of identity, healing, and representation in her upcoming projects.

“I would love to see how we can continue to create stories within the world of Mahal, whether it is spinning this off as an animated series or a fulllength feature film,” she revealed. “For me, I also want to continue to work in spaces, mediums, and projects that uplift diverse voices and culturally and/or politically relevant themes and topics.” g

Alex Gonzaga and her husband Mikee Morada Photo from Instagram/@