AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026
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Volume 37 - No. 34 • 14 Pages
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DATELINE USA FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Abbott seeks to bar H-1B workers from Texas public schools Proposal would cover current visa holders and future applicants; Filipino educators are among H-1B teachers working in U.S. schools
Senate absences put 16-vote rule at center of Duterte impeachment trial Cayetano and Legarda have missed proceedings; Estrada, dela Rosa and Marcoleta face legal barriers as court keeps conviction requirement unchanged by AJPress MANILA — Five senator-judges have missed all or
part of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial for reasons ranging from illness and medical leave to detention and an outstanding international
Zamboanga shooting drives nationwide push on guns, school security
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for legislation that would bar public school districts from employing workers on H-1B visas, targeting a federal program some Texas school systems use to recruit teachers for hard-to-fill classrooms. Abbott announced the proposal Aug. 18 in Austin, saying he wants “exactly zero” H-1B visa holders working in Texas public schools. He said the restriction should apply to current visa holders as well as future applicants. No such K-12 prohibition is currently in effect. The proposal would require approval by the Texas Legislature, which convenes in January 2027. The plan would extend restrictions Abbott u PAGE 4
PNP tightens firearm safeguards as DepEd orders active-attack drills; investigators have yet to establish motive by AJPress
Military recruiting rebound accelerates as services hit 2026 goals early Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force reach annual targets months ahead of schedule after years of recruiting difficulties WASHINGTON - U.S. military recruiting has continued its strong recovery in 2026, with four active-duty services reaching annual goals months ahead of schedule after years of difficulty attracting enough qualified volunteers. The Army said in May that it had signed contracts with more than 61,500 future soldiers, meeting its fiscal 2026 active-duty target four months before the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year. The Navy later contracted 45,000 future sailors. The Air Force reached its goal of 32,750 active-duty airu PAGE 2
Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University to meet with school officials. Alongside government agencies such as DSWD and DOH, and partner organizations, the initiative also provided Psychological First Aid and psychosocial support to students, families, and school personnel in need. DepED Photo
Security deployment expands as investigation continues and BARMM prepares for landmark Sept. 14 vote by AJPress
COTABATO CITY - Security preparations for the Bangsamoro region’s first regular parliamentary election have intensified
Former speaker cites witness reversals; Ombudsman says 28 other witnesses remain
MANILA — Former House speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez has challenged key witness accounts in the government’s flood-control corruption investigation, citing a series of recantations while the Office of the Ombudsman maintains that its inquiry rests on a broader body of testimony and evidence. Romualdez filed a supplemental counter-affidavit Thursday, Aug. 20, incorporating the recantation of retired Marine Orly Guteza, who withdrew earlier
MANILA — Philippine authorities are tightening firearm safeguards and preparing schools nationwide for active-attack emergencies after the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University raised questions about gun storage, campus security and protections for minors. The Philippine National Police on Friday ordered commanders nationwide to reinforce rules requiring personnel to secure firearms, particularly while off duty or at home, and prevent access by children or other unauthorized people. The directive followed the Aug. 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University's junior high school campus, the second deadly Philippine school shooting in less than two months. Authorities said a Grade 8 student fatally shot a Grade u PAGE 2
Attack on Bangsamoro leader’s FBI adds Iloilo mayor’s son to convoy raises security concerns Most Wanted Fraudsters list in ahead of first parliamentary election alleged $650 million scheme as authorities continue investigating the Aug. 15 attack on interim Chief Minister Abdulraof “Sammy Gambar” Macacua and expand enforcement of an election-period gun ban. u PAGE4
allegations that he participated in cash deliveries to properties associated with the former speaker. The Ombudsman said Guteza’s reversal would not derail its investigation. The anti-graft office said it has 28 other witnesses, described as active members of the uniformed services, who can provide direct and material information about transactions under scrutiny. Romualdez, who represents Leyte’s 1st District, has denied wrongdoing. The case remains u PAGE 5
Federal agents offer up to $150,000 for information leading to Rey E. Grabato II’s arrest and conviction by AJPress
NEWARK, N.J. — The FBI has added Rey E. Grabato II, son of Mina, Iloilo Mayor Rey P. Grabato, to its Most Wanted Fraudsters list over allegations that he participated in an investment scheme involving more than Council authorizes permanent ceremonial $650 million and about 2,000 investors. signs at First and Los Angeles streets and Grabato remained on the FBI Temple and Figueroa streets list as of Aug. 19. The bureau is Councilmembers Curren Price offering up to $150,000 for inforby AJPress and Nithya Raman absent. The mation leading to his arrest and action became final Aug. 12. The conviction and says he has ties LOS ANGELES — The Los An- proposal originated with Coun- to the Philippines and may be geles City Council has approved cilmember Ysabel Jurado and was living there. A federal arrest warrant was official designations for two seconded by Councilmember Bob issued Oct. 12, 2022, in New downtown intersections associ- Blumenfield. ated with the city’s early Filipino Under the action, the Los Ange- Jersey. Grabato is charged with American communities, naming les Department of Transportation conspiracy to commit securities First and Los Angeles streets “Lit- is directed to install permanent fraud, securities fraud, conspirtle Manila Square” and Temple ceremonial signs at both inter- acy to commit wire fraud, wire and Figueroa streets “America is sections. The committee report fraud and conspiracy to defraud in the Heart Square.” identifies First and Los Angeles the United States in connection The Council adopted the Pub- streets as the location of Los An- with taxes. The charges remain allegalic Works Committee report geles’ original Little Manila and u PAGE 2 tions. Grabato has not been on Aug. 11 by a 13-0 vote, with
Los Angeles names two downtown Romualdez challenges key testimony in flood-control probe squares to mark Little Manila history by AJPress
arrest warrant, putting renewed attention on a rule the Senate court says will not change: 16 votes are u PAGE 2
convicted in the case and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Federal prosecutors allege that Grabato and others participated in a scheme involving National Realty Investment Advisors LLC, or NRIA. According to the indictment, an NRIA investment fund raised approximately $650 million from about 2,000 investors between February 2018 and January 2022. Grabato was NRIA’s president and majority owner. Prosecutors allege investors were misled about NRIA’s financial condition and the use of their money. The indictment alleges that investor funds were used in part to make distributions while NRIA generated little or no operating income from its properties. NRIA, the investment fund and more than 100 affiliated companies filed for Chapter u PAGE 2
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AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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From the Front Page
California officials say invasive fruit flies are testing state defenses ACoM briefing highlights pressure on resources, quarantine enforcement and risks to farms and home gardens by AJPress California agricultural officials said this week that repeated incursions of invasive fruit flies are putting growing pressure on the state's pest-prevention system, with a senior state official acknowledging that resources may not be keeping pace with the threat. The officials spoke during an Aug. 18 online briefing presented by American Community Media, or ACoM, titled “Protecting California Communities from Invasive Fruit Flies: Why It Takes Collective Action by Everyone.”Moderated by ACoM journalist Sunita Sohrabji, the session examined how invasive fruit flies reach California, how authorities detect and eradicate them and what residents can do to prevent their spread. Speakers included Victoria Hornbaker, director of the California Department of Food and Agriculture's Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division; Abraham Lopez Zuniga, a CDFA emergency response team leader; Jordan Peterson, a Los Angeles County agricultural official; Hung Dang of the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner's Office; and county detector-dog handlers. Hornbaker rejected the suggestion that invasive fruit flies are winning. “They continue to come at us, but between the CDFA, the USDA, and the counties, we continue to eradicate those fruit flies,” she said. Mediterranean, Mexican and Oriental fruit flies are among the invasive species California encounters. Hornbaker said they can attack more than 250 types of produce, threatening commercial agriculture as well as backyard and community gardens. She said seven quarantines in 2023 stretched California's response capacity. Separately, CDFA reported in April that seven invasive fruit-fly quarantines during the 2023-24 period were the most recorded in a single year and cost more than $208 million to eradicate.
Officials identified travel, produce mailed between households and plants or fruit obtained through unverified online sources as pathways through which invasive pests can enter California. They did not attribute every current infestation to any one pathway. Lopez Zuniga cited the Mexican fruit fly quarantine in San Diego County as an example of the work required after a detection. Inspectors intensify trapping, examine fruit for larvae and, when necessary, remove host fruit to interrupt reproduction. He credited residents with helping inspectors gain access to properties. “Keeping California safe is a job of all of us Californians,” he said. Asked whether California's detection system and budget were keeping pace with recent pest incursions, Hornbaker referred to a comprehensive pest-prevention analysis and said “the funding, the resources maybe aren't keeping pace with the pest pressure that we're seeing.” She said CDFA is responding through staff training, partnerships and efforts to reduce risks before agricultural products reach California. Asked about small family farms facing quarantine restrictions and compliance costs, Hornbaker said CDFA does not have resources to provide direct financial assistance. She said the department can still help growers meet requirements and connect them with inspectors and university extension specialists. On enforcement, Peterson said county inspectors at parcel facilities can reject agricultural products that fail California entry requirements or are infested. Hornbaker said that inside established quarantine areas, nurseries, fruit sellers and commercial growers may operate under compliance agreements, while officials can place hold notices restricting produce movement until requirements are met. Peterson described Los Angeles County's trapping network as an “early warning system” designed
to find invasive pests before they reproduce and spread. Detector dogs identify parcels that may contain fruits, plants or other agricultural material; inspectors then examine the contents. Lisa Samson, an Alameda County agricultural investigator and detector-dog handler, said invasive fruit-fly interceptions have become more frequent during her years in the program. “It was pretty rare,” she said of earlier finds. “It's becoming pretty common.” Asked whether hard-rind fruits such as citrus are less susceptible, Lopez Zuniga said vulnerability depends on the fruit-fly species, season and available host plants. He urged backyard and community gardeners to inspect plants and produce for unfamiliar insects or unusual damage and report suspicious findings. Hornbaker said climate change can expand the geographic ranges where invasive insects survive and potentially make parts of California more suitable for them, but she did not identify climate change as the specific cause of current infestations. Asked whether federal deregulation could contribute to future infestations, Hornbaker did not link current fruit-fly problems to federal policy. She said CDFA remains in close communication with USDA officials and monitors federal actions that could affect California's pest-prevention work. Dang, speaking as both an Orange County agricultural employee and home gardener, cautioned against relying on unverified online sellers for unusual tropical plants. His advice to travelers: “Keep it as a memory and don't bring it home.” For residents inside a fruit-fly quarantine, Lopez Zuniga said homegrown fruit should not be given away or moved untreated from the property. It can be eaten or processed at home. Discarded fruit should be double-bagged and placed in regular trash rather than green-waste containers. Suspected invasive pests can be reported to CDFA at 1-800-491-1899. n
Zamboanga shooting drives nationwide... PAGE 1 10 student before killing himself. Another student suffered a bullet graze to the back and was reported in stable condition. A second student who collapsed during the incident later recovered. Investigators have not publicly established a motive. The Bureau of Customs confirmed that one firearm used in the attack had been issued to the student's father, a Customs enforcement officer in Zamboanga. Officials said the other weapon was the father's personal firearm. Customs Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno relieved and preventively suspended the officer while the agency conducts an administrative investigation into the handling and safekeeping of the weapons. The action is not a finding of criminal liability. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the father was cooperating with investigators and that authorities had not established his culpability. Any possible criminal case would require further investigation and prosecutorial review. Officials told a Senate hearing that the firearms had been left in a vehicle used to take the student to
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID LACMTA will receive Bids for OP138382(2) - Corrosion Control System Upgrades via email submission at bids@ metro.net. All Bids must be submitted on or before 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. For a copy of the Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Misty Atalanta at AtalantaM@ metro.net. 8/22/26 CNS-4071873# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
school. A driver transported him that morning. Police said the student arrived shortly before 8 a.m. and entered the junior high building through a ramp used by persons with disabilities, bypassing the principal security checkpoint. Remulla said investigators did not consider the circumstances evidence of a security lapse by Ateneo, noting that the school required bag inspections at its regular entrance. Police have said the student acted alone and that investigators found no evidence of an accomplice or conspiracy. Authorities are examining his digital activity, including social-media and online-game use. Remulla has raised the possibility that violent online material influenced the student and has advocated restrictions on Roblox. Investigators, however, have not established that any game or online platform caused the attack. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center told senators that investigators had not yet gained full access to the student's devices and social-media accounts. Ateneo officials also said reports that the student had previously threatened to attack the school remained unverified. Claims involving bullying, academic pressure, online radicalization or specific games therefore remain investigative leads, not established motives. The Department of Justice is separately examining reports that minors may be recruited or influenced through online groups
associated with violent extremism. Officials have described that inquiry as an effort to verify information, not evidence that the Zamboanga student belonged to such a network. The shooting has accelerated a national school-safety response that began after two students opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22, killing three students and injuring 20. The Department of Education has directed public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide to participate Aug. 25 in a simultaneous safety drill for active-attack incidents. Schools are expected to use localized contingency plans and test emergency procedures and coordination with police, barangay officials and local governments. The PNP said officers will assist. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered authorities to investigate the Zamboanga shooting and strengthen school security. The Palace has said government resources can be used for additional safety measures. Congress is also considering broader responses. Lawmakers have raised proposals involving stronger firearm-storage requirements, campus security, mental-health services, digital safety and protections for minors online. A proposed Child Safety Against Gun Violence Act would impose additional firearm restrictions and safety requirements involving schools and minors, but it has not been enacted. n
FBI adds Iloilo mayor’s son...
PAGE 1 11 bankruptcy protection in June 2022. The Securities and Exchange Commission separately sued NRIA and four former executives in 2022, alleging a Ponzi-like operation that raised approximately $600 million from investors. Federal prosecutors allege that Thomas Nicholas Salzano secretly directed NRIA’s day-today operations and used Grabato as a stand-in chief executive who followed his instructions. The indictment also alleges that Grabato carried out transactions that prosecutors say furthered the scheme. Salzano later pleaded guilty to securities fraud, conspira-
cy to commit wire fraud and a tax-related conspiracy. He was sentenced in 2024 to 12 years in federal prison. His conviction does not determine Grabato’s guilt. Grabato’s family has called for due process. His brother, Christopher Grabato, has said he is recovering from a severe stroke and is partially paralyzed. The medical claims have not been independently verified. The Iloilo provincial government lists Rey P. Grabato as mayor of Mina. Neither the FBI wanted notice nor the federal indictment reviewed by Asian Journal names the mayor as a defendant or alleges that he participated in the scheme. n
GOV'T AID. Volunteers help Department of Social Welfare and Development staff in repacking relief goods at the National Resource Operations Center in Pasay City on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026. The food packs will be distributed to families affected by inclement weather. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Senate absences put 16-vote... PAGE 1 required for conviction. The Constitution requires the concurrence of two-thirds of all Senate members to convict an impeached official. With 24 senators, Presiding Officer Francis “Chiz” Escudero ruled when the trial opened July 6 that at least 16 votes are necessary. Impeachment court spokesman Reginald Tongol said Aug. 20 that reducing the threshold because some senators are unavailable would alter a rule already established for the proceeding. Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano was absent from both the impeachment trial and the regular Senate session Aug. 17 after missing proceedings since Aug. 11. Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. said that, as of Aug. 17, Cayetano’s office had not formally communicated an explanation. His sister, Sen. Pia Cayetano, and Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri had earlier said he was not feeling well. Sen. Loren Legarda’s absences were covered by medical leave for Aug. 3 to 5, Aug. 11 to 12 and Aug. 17 to 19. Legarda, who traveled abroad Aug. 2, denied reports Aug. 20 that her overseas stay was intended to position her to seek political asylum or avoid possible prosecution. Assistant Ombudsman Mico Clavano had raised asylum only as a possibility while discussing a preliminary investigation involving Legarda, her son, Batangas Rep. Leandro Leviste, and former Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi over allegations involving solar-energy projects. Bureau of Immigration records showed that Legarda and Leviste left the country separately and had no derogatory immigration records at departure. Legarda has denied the allegations
and said her leave complied with Senate rules. The Ombudsman inquiry remains preliminary, with no finding of criminal liability in the solar matter. Sen. Jinggoy Estrada has been detained since June in connection with a plunder case involving alleged kickbacks from flood-control projects and is under a 90-day preventive suspension implemented by the Senate beginning June 22. Estrada has denied the allegations. The Sandiganbayan denied his request to leave detention to serve as a senator-judge; he later sought bail. Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been absent while authorities seek to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa has denied wrongdoing and challenges the ICC’s jurisdiction. The Supreme Court denied his request for interim protection against enforcement of the warrant in May while leaving the principal legal issues unresolved. Sen. Rodante Marcoleta was arrested July 6, hours before the impeachment trial opened, on a separate plunder charge involving alleged undeclared campaign contributions. He has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty. Malacañang has said decisions on whether Marcoleta or Estrada may obtain temporary liberty to participate rest with the courts. The attendance dispute also covers senators who register for a hearing but temporarily leave the chamber. Tongol said senator-judges who remain within areas under Senate control may continue to be counted under a continuing-quorum arrange-
ment. House prosecutors, meanwhile, have argued that physical presence is important when witnesses testify. House lead prosecutor Gerville Luistro has urged the court to examine whether senators beyond the Senate’s power to compel attendance should affect the vote computation, citing the Supreme Court’s 1949 Avelino v. Cuenco ruling on legislative quorum. The impeachment court has not adopted that interpretation. The effect is consequential but not predictive. Under the court’s present rule, a smaller pool of participating senator-judges does not reduce the 16 votes prosecutors must obtain. But the current absences cannot be converted into a forecast: Cayetano’s absence has not been established as permanent, Legarda’s latest confirmed medical leave expired Aug. 19, and the legal circumstances affecting Estrada, dela Rosa and Marcoleta could change before judgment. Nothing in the public record establishes how any of them would vote if able to participate. The timetable itself remains unsettled. Two hearings were suspended this week because of bad weather, and the trial is scheduled to resume Aug. 24. House prosecutor Terry Ridon said Aug. 21 that the prosecution hopes to finish presenting evidence by the end of September, allowing the defense to proceed from October into mid-November. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian has said the chamber hopes to finish by December, though continued delays could push proceedings into 2027. Duterte has denied wrongdoing and is contesting the impeachment charges. The defense has yet to present its case. (AJPress)
Military recruiting rebound accelerates as... PAGE 1 men five months early, while the Space Force enlisted 730 Guardians. The Marine Corps remains on track to meet its target. The gains extend a turnaround already evident in fiscal 2025, when all five active-duty services met their recruiting goals. The Army recruited 62,050, the Navy 44,096, the Air Force 30,166, the Space Force 819 and the Marine Corps 26,600. Pentagon officials described fiscal 2025 as the military's strongest recruiting performance in 15 years. Two years earlier, the services had collectively fallen about 41,000 recruits short of their goals. The Trump administration has pointed to the latest figures as evidence of renewed confidence in military leadership. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has
credited the administration's emphasis on military standards, readiness and war-fighting capability. The recruiting recovery, however, was already underway before President Donald Trump returned to office. Pentagon figures show enlistments rose 12.5% in fiscal 2024, from 200,000 to 225,000, during a fiscal year that ended before the November presidential election. By then, the services had expanded recruiting operations, increased digital outreach, streamlined medical processing and introduced programs to help otherwise eligible applicants meet academic or physical requirements. The Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course, launched in 2022, became one of the most prominent of those efforts. Economic considerations re-
main part of the recruiting picture, though Pentagon research does not identify them as the principal cause. A Summer 2025 Defense Department youth survey found that 35% of respondents ages 16 to 21 considered finding a full-time job difficult, while 14% said current economic conditions made them more likely to consider military service. Pay, education assistance, health coverage, job training and other benefits also remain central to the military's recruiting offer. The contrast with 2023 is pronounced: after collectively missing recruiting goals by roughly 41,000 people that year, the Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force entered the closing months of fiscal 2026 with their annual objectives already met. (AJPress)
Los Angeles names two downtown squares... PAGE 1 the Temple-Figueroa intersection as a later Little Manila site associated with Filipino American writer Carlos Bulosan. Jurado’s office said the designations are intended to make visible a part of Filipino American history that has largely disappeared from the downtown landscape. “As the first Filipina elected to the Los Angeles City Council, I want to reclaim this lost part of our history,” Jurado said in a statement released by her office. The council action followed an April motion by Jurado that traced the emergence of a Filipino enclave in downtown Los Angeles in the 1920s. The motion said the area around First, Main, Los Angeles and Weller streets, now Astronaut Ellison S. Onizuka Street, became known as Little Manila and included Filipino-owned restaurants, barbershops, pool
halls, employment agencies and other businesses. By the 1940s, the motion said, the center of Filipino community life had shifted toward Temple and Figueroa streets. The area included businesses and gathering places serving Filipino residents and workers and was associated with Bulosan, an author, poet and labor activist. The Library of Congress says Bulosan is best known for America Is in the Heart, published in 1946, which portrayed the experiences and working conditions of Filipino migrant laborers in the United States. Independent historical reporting has documented the same geographic shift. PBS SoCal reported in 2022 that the original downtown Little Manila flourished in the 1920s and 1930s and that Filipino community activity later concentrated around Temple and Figueroa. Los Angeles
City Planning’s SurveyLA project has also documented Filipino American settlement, economic activity and institutions as part of its historic-resources research. The physical footprint of the early enclaves receded as redevelopment and freeway construction transformed downtown in the mid-20th century. Jurado’s motion says those projects removed homes and businesses and pushed much of the Filipino American community west toward the Temple-Beverly corridor, later associated with Historic Filipinotown. The June Public Works Committee report added the formal “Little Manila Square” designation at First and Los Angeles streets to the proposal for permanent signage. The City Clerk’s record does not specify an installation date for the ceremonial signs. n
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AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
From the Front Page
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Attack on Bangsamoro leader’s convoy raises...
SECURITY CHECK. Students queue up outside the Davao City National High School on Thursday (Aug. 20, 2026), enduring the heat for a security check before entering the school premises. The measure ensures the safety of students and school staff. PNA photo by Robinson Niñal Jr.
Jay-R Esquivel wins King of the Pier title in California Filipino longboarder posts 18.60 total, including a perfect 10, to finish ahead of four-time world champion Taylor Jensen by AJPress OCEANSIDE, Calif. — Filipino longboarder Rogelio “Jay-R” Esquivel Jr. won the King of the Pier title in Southern California with an 18.60 two-wave total, highlighted by a perfect 10-point ride. Four-time world champion Taylor Jensen finished second with 16.77, followed by Gavin Idone at 15.30 and Tommy Coleman at 14.56. The competition was part of the 41st annual Oceanside Longboard
Surfing Club Contest and Beach Festival, held Aug. 7-9. The King and Queen of the Pier competition is a Pro/Am invitational featuring professional and competitive longboarders. The victory followed Esquivel’s appearance at the 2026 Lexus US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, where he finished ninth on the World Surf League Longboard Tour. Fellow Filipino Jomarie Ebueza reached the semifinals and placed third. Esquivel, from Urbiztondo in San Juan, La Union, became the
first Filipino to qualify for the WSL World Longboard Tour in 2023. He placed third at Huntington Beach in his tour debut and reached the final there in 2024, losing to Jensen. Their meeting in Oceanside ended differently. Esquivel’s 18.60 total gave him a 1.83-point advantage over Jensen and another international victory in a career that has increasingly placed him alongside the sport’s leading longboarders. The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles later congratulated Esquivel on the result. n
PAGE 1 The Philippine National Police said 19 people had been arrested in gun-ban enforcement operations since the election period began July 16. Nearly 24,000 personnel from the PNP, Armed Forces and other law-enforcement agencies have been deployed across more than 100 areas of concern ahead of the Sept. 14 vote. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered tighter security and a thorough investigation into the attack. The Commission on Elections has maintained that the election will proceed, and Marcos has declared Sept. 14 a special non-working day in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, or BARMM, to allow residents to vote. Macacua and his companions escaped unharmed after gunmen fired on his convoy along the national highway in Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao del Norte. Three vehicles were struck. He had been returning from a Bangsamoro Federalist Party gathering, where he formally assumed the party chairmanship, and is seeking a seat in the new Parliament. Police created a Special Investigation Task Group and recovered 81 fired cartridge cases. A police progress report shared through Comelec Chairman
George Garcia said witnesses had seen five armed men positioned near the highway before the convoy passed. The report said a resident recognized one of them, leading investigators to designate an individual as a person of interest. Authorities have not announced charges against that individual, and the designation does not establish involvement or guilt. As of press time, police had not publicly announced an arrest arising from the attack, identified a mastermind or established a motive. PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said the attack was being treated as a suspected election-related incident because Macacua is a candidate and public official and the shooting occurred during the election period. He said the appropriate committee would still have to determine whether it meets the criteria for final classification as election-related. The wider security environment also remains under watch. On Aug. 20, three people were killed and another wounded in two separate shootings in Maguindanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Norte, police said. Investigators had not publicly linked those attacks to the election or to the shooting of Macacua’s convoy. The election carries unusual
weight because BARMM is the product of a decades-long peace process between the Philippine government and Moro groups seeking greater self-government in Mindanao. The 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front paved the way for the Bangsamoro Organic Law, enacted in 2018 and ratified in 2019. BARMM replaced the former Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and remains an autonomous political region within the Philippines. Macacua’s career spans that transition. He formerly served as chief of staff of the Bangsamoro Islamic Armed Forces, the MILF’s armed wing, before joining the MILF peace negotiating panel and the Bangsamoro Transition Commission. Marcos appointed him interim chief minister in March 2025. BARMM has been governed during the transition by an appointed Bangsamoro Transition Authority. About 2.3 million voters are expected to choose an 80-member Parliament on Sept. 14: 40 seats for political parties, 32 for district representatives and eight for sectoral representatives. Parliament will then elect the chief minister under BARMM’s parliamentary system. n
Abbott seeks to bar H-1B workers from Texas... hiring in state government and PAGE 1 imposed earlier this year on H-1B public higher education. In January, he directed covered state agencies and public colleges and universities not to file new H-1B petitions without written permission from the Texas Workforce Commission through May 31, 2027. Local public school districts were not covered. Texas districts that sponsor international educators say the program helps fill vacancies requiring specialized credentials. For 2026-27, the Texas Education Agency identifies bilingual and English as a Second Language, special education, computer science and technology applications, secondary career and technical education, and secondary English language arts and reading as teacher-shortage areas. Those shortages do not necessarily mean districts lack applicants overall. Some classrooms require specific certifications, language skills or special-education qualifications that teachers licensed in other fields cannot fill. Dallas Independent School District said after Abbott’s announcement that it hires international educators only for critical shortages identified by the state and that those teachers are Texas-certified. Federal data cited by the Texas Tribune show Dallas ISD has 171 H-1B visa holders, more than any school district or public university in Texas. Dallas ISD’s published H-1B guidance for 2025-26 limited sponsorship to elementary bilingual English-Spanish and special-education teachers. Candidates were required to have a valid Texas teaching certificate and a district job offer. Houston Independent School District similarly requires an H-1B candidate to hold a valid Texas teaching certificate and have a job offer in a critical-shortage assignment. It says the program has been used for bilingual education, special education,
high-school mathematics and science, with 51 to 90 H-1B visas sponsored annually from 2017 through 2025. Those figures reflect sponsorship activity, not necessarily newly arriving teachers, because filings can include extensions. Filipino educators are among teachers working in U.S. schools under H-1B status. The Philippine Embassy’s Migrant Workers Office in Washington held a post-arrival orientation in February 2025 attended by 88 Filipino H-1B teachers from different parts of the United States. Texas districts have also recruited teachers internationally, including in the Philippines, although Filipino educators can enter U.S. schools through other visa categories, including the J-1 teacher-exchange program. Public federal and Texas data do not provide a verified statewide count of Filipino H-1B teachers in Texas. H-1B employers must comply with federal wage and working-condition rules. The U.S. Department of Labor requires employers to pay at least the higher of the prevailing wage for the occupation and location or the employer’s actual wage for similarly qualified workers. Federal H-1B rules do not universally require every school district to prove that no U.S. worker was available before sponsoring a foreign teacher. Dallas and Houston, however, tie sponsorship to shortage or hard-to-fill assignments. Abbott has argued that taxpayer-funded education jobs should be filled by Texans or other U.S. workers. Dallas ISD said ending its use of visa-sponsored teachers would require more domestic recruits. “If the governor’s new expectation is to eliminate these teachers, then we’re going to need more Texans in the teaching pipeline,” the district said. (AJPress)
LOS ANGELES COUNTY LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID INVITATION FOR BID LACMTA will receive Bids/ Proposals for DR141431 - ThirtyFive (35) Electric Carts at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012. A Pre-Bid conference will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, 10:00 a.m., at One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012, Virtual Meeting: Online. All Bids must be submitted to LACMTA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time on Friday, September 18, 2026, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each Bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. DR141431. For a copy of the Proposal/Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro.net or for further information email Tina Hoffstetter at hoffstettert@metro. net. 8/22/26 CNS-4070082# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
LACMTA will receive Bids/ Proposals for DR144580 Procurement of one Field Operations Command Vehicle electronically via email to bids@metro.net. A virtual Pre-Bid conference will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, 11:00 a.m., via Microsoft Teams. All Bids must be submitted electronically to LACMTA, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, September 17, 2026. A virtual Public Bid Opening meeting will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2026, via Microsoft Teams. Bids received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. Each Bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. DR144580. For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https:// business.metro.net or for further information email Austin Pope at popeau@metro. net. 8/22/26 CNS-4071436# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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Flood-control funds return under tighter planning rules DPWH requires local master plans and engineering studies as government seeks P107.4 billion for 2027 by AJPress MANILA - The Marcos administration is rebuilding its flood-control program around local master plans and tighter engineering requirements as it seeks P107.4 billion for flood mitigation in 2027, restoring major funding after a year in which new locally funded projects were suspended following investigations into alleged ghost and substandard works. Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon said proposed projects must be anchored in local flood or drainage master plans, backed by engineered designs and feasibility studies, and endorsed by local and regional development councils before they can enter the national budget. The approach is intended to connect national spending with conditions identified by cities and provinces. Dizon said previous projects were sometimes advanced without adequate consultation with local governments, a practice he said the new requirements are designed to prevent. The change comes as repeated monsoon flooding has renewed pressure for both immediate
relief and long-term planning. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered DPWH and other agencies to coordinate with local governments while accelerating drainage clearing, pumping-station repairs and larger flood-management works. In Navotas, DPWH cited the restoration of six pumping stations, closure of gaps in dikes and repairs to a navigational gate as examples of coordinated intervention. In Quezon City, the department is considering retention or retarding basins to temporarily store runoff before releasing it more gradually into the San Juan River system. The government is separately studying underground water-storage facilities at about 30 potential Metro Manila sites, including areas near Raja Sulaiman Park, Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Camp Aguinaldo and the University of Santo Tomas. No construction timetable has been announced. Officials say the localized approach will complement, not replace, broader river-basin planning. DPWH has existing plans for major river basins, while the 2026 national budget already directs the department to use hydrologic and geospatial studies, vulnera-
bility assessments and environmental analysis in flood-control planning. The proposed P7.2-trillion 2027 budget gives DPWH P644 billion. DBM says P107.4 billion is proposed for flood-control work, including maintenance, rehabilitation and continuing foreign-assisted projects. The House has begun reviewing the spending plan, while Sen. Panfilo Lacson has questioned whether the allocation is tied to a coherent, multi-administration flood-management program. The renewed scrutiny follows the government’s review of thousands of earlier projects. In October 2025, the Independent Commission for Infrastructure said 421 of about 8,000 projects initially validated by DPWH, the military, police and economic planning officials were suspected ghost projects. DBM is also expanding Project DIME, which uses satellite imagery, drones and geotagging to compare reported infrastructure accomplishments with conditions on the ground. The proposed 2027 flood-control projects will undergo congressional review as lawmakers examine DPWH’s spending plan. n
Remulla seeks tougher Philippine gun laws after Zamboanga school shooting Interior chief calls for stronger penalties on loose firearms and greater accountability for gun owners by AJPress
He said 98% of firearm-related crimes involve loose firearms, MANILA — Interior Secretary citing government data. He also criticized penalties asJonvic Remulla called on Congress to strengthen Philippine sociated with Republic Act 8294, firearms laws after the deadly a 1997 law he referred to as the shooting at Ateneo de Zambo- “Robin Padilla law.” The Philipanga University, the country’s pines’ principal firearms statute second fatal school shooting in is now Republic Act 10591, the Comprehensive Firearms and Amless than two months. Remulla urged tougher penal- munition Regulation Act of 2013. Any proposal to make firearm ties for possession of loose firearms and greater accountability offenses non-bailable would rewhen licensed or government-is- main subject to constitutional sued weapons are inadequately protections governing bail. Authorities said a Grade 8 stusecured and accessed by minors.
dent fatally shot another student before dying by suicide. Two others were wounded. Investigators are examining how the student obtained two firearms linked to his father, a Bureau of Customs employee. Customs relieved and preventively suspended the employee pending investigation, which does not establish negligence or criminal liability. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation and stronger school-safety measures. n
Philippines courts U.S. investment in chips, critical minerals Manila seeks larger role in global technology supply chains through semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and mineral processing by AJPress MANILA — The Philippines is stepping up efforts to attract U.S. investment in semiconductors, electronics and critical-mineral processing as the Marcos administration seeks to move the country further up the technology manufacturing chain. Executive Secretary Ralph Recto renewed the investment pitch to American business leaders Thursday, emphasizing projects that create jobs, develop Filipino technical expertise and expand domestic industrial capacity. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to accelerate infrastructure, incentives and investment facilitation for semiconductor and artificial intelligence-related industries. The Philippine semiconductor and electronics sector has set a target of about $110 billion in electronics exports by 2030, supported by expansion into integrated-circuit design,
advanced packaging and higher-value manufacturing. Electronics already account for most Philippine merchandise exports. Philippine Statistics Authority data show electronic products generated $5.25 billion, or 59.9 percent, of exports in June. The United States was the country's largest export market that month, receiving $1.76 billion, or 20.1 percent of total shipments. A centerpiece of the government's strategy is a proposed 4,000-acre industrial development in New Clark City, Tarlac, associated with Pax Silica, a U.S.-led initiative focused on technology and strategic supply chains. Government plans envision semiconductor production, critical-mineral processing, advanced manufacturing and computing infrastructure. The development remains preliminary. Bases Conversion and Development Authority officials told a Senate hearing this month that detailed development plans had not yet been submitted and
that consultations and regulatory reviews remained necessary. Officials have said more than 50 companies expressed interest, but no final investment commitments were announced. The Philippines and United States also signed a critical-minerals cooperation framework in February covering supply-chain resilience, responsible resource management and expanded Philippine capacity in processing and refining. The Board of Investments said the Philippines accounted for 25.41 percent of global nickel exports in 2024, strengthening Manila's case for attracting investments that process more of the country's mineral output domestically. Approved foreign investment pledges reached P115.20 billion in the second quarter, up 68.2 percent from a year earlier, with manufacturing accounting for the largest share. The PSA figures represent approved commitments rather than capital already deployed. n
Hydropower deals take center stage in government’s P101.5-billion privatization push by AJPress MANILA — Two of the Philippines’ biggest hydropower assets are emerging as key pieces of the government’s plan to raise P101.5 billion from privatization in 2027, linking the fiscal program to a broader effort to modernize aging power infrastructure. Finance Undersecretary and Chief Privatization Officer Michael Peter Alejandro said proceeds from the completed Caliraya-Botocan-Kalayaan transaction are expected to be booked next year, while the proposed rehabilitation of the Agus-Pulangi complex remains under evaluation. The 797-megawatt CBK complex in Laguna was turned over Feb. 9 to Thunder Consortium,
composed of Aboitiz Renewables Inc., Sumitomo Corp. and Electric Power Development Co. Ltd., or J-Power. The consortium won PSALM’s July 2025 bidding with an offer of about P36.27 billion. Attention is now shifting to Agus-Pulangi, a network of seven hydropower plants that has long been central to Mindanao’s electricity supply. The complex has about 1,000 megawatts of installed capacity, but government officials have said aging equipment has reduced available generation to roughly 600 to 700 megawatts. PSALM is reviewing two unsolicited rehabilitation proposals after rejecting a third. The structure under consideration is a concession rather than a direct asset sale, with private investment expected to finance rehabilita-
tion while National Power Corp. remains involved in operations and maintenance. Energy officials said in June they were aiming to award a rehabilitation contract by the end of 2026. PSALM has cautioned, however, that evaluation and negotiations under the Public-Private Partnership Code could extend into 2027. No final award has been announced. Republic Act No. 12179 extended PSALM’s corporate life by 10 years beyond June 26, 2026, giving the state corporation additional time to complete remaining asset dispositions and manage related obligations. For 2026, the government cut its privatization-revenue target to P38.1 billion from P101 billion. Alejandro said first-half collections reached P1.9 billion. n
ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026
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Digital payments reach 64.7% of Philippine retail transactions by AJPress MANILA — Digital payments accounted for 64.7% of Philippine retail transactions by volume in 2025, up from 57.4% a year earlier, according to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP). The BSP counted 3.94 billion digital transactions out of 6.09 billion retail payments during the year. The result exceeded the Philippine Development Plan’s 2025 target of 54% to 58% and was already within the 60% to 70% range set for 2028. Merchant payments accounted
for 74.31% of electronic transactions, followed by person-to-person remittances at 17.70% and business-to-business supplier payments at 3.67%. QR Ph, the country’s interoperable national QR payment standard, recorded 2.47 billion transactions worth P1.16 trillion in 2025, compared with 174.34 million transactions worth P227.47 billion a year earlier. The BSP said QR Ph transaction volume surpassed debit- and credit-card transactions for the first time. The central bank attributed
the increase to greater interoperability, wider merchant acceptance and improvements in payment access. BSP Governor Eli Remolona Jr. said expanding connections among consumers, businesses, banks and electronic-wallet providers increases the usefulness of the payment network. Digital adoption remained uneven across sectors. Government-initiated payments were 98.92% digital by volume, while business-initiated payments were 18.75% digital, according to the BSP. n
Romualdez challenges key testimony in... PAGE 1 under preliminary investigation, during which prosecutors determine whether probable cause exists to bring criminal charges in court. No such determination has been announced. Lawyer Ade Fajardo, a spokesman for Romualdez, said the new filing also includes affidavits from 25 former employees and aides of former Ako Bicol Rep. Elizaldy “Zaldy” Co who dispute portions of accounts provided by members of Co’s former security detail. Fajardo said some had previously been identified as companions in alleged cash deliveries but now deny that the deliveries occurred. He also said some claimed they had been offered money to join other former security personnel in accusing Romualdez. Those assertions are part of the defense submission and have not been independently established. Guteza testified under oath before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee in September 2025 that he took part in alleged cash deliveries linked to Romualdez. In an affidavit dated Aug. 13 that became public this week, he withdrew that account and alleged that he had been induced to make false accusations. He also made allegations involving Sen. Rodante Marcoleta and former congressman Mike Defensor in connection with his earlier testimony. The claims remain disputed and have not been adjudicated. Marcoleta previously denied coaching Guteza.
Guteza is the fourth of nine former Co security personnel cited in the Ombudsman complaint to withdraw earlier statements, following Belnard Tube, Benny Bulontate and Rosebert Waupan. The reversals have sharpened the dispute over witness credibility. The Ombudsman, however, says its investigation does not depend on the recanting witnesses and has not publicly disclosed the full substance of the testimony expected from the 28 additional witnesses. A special panel of Ombudsman investigators earlier accused Romualdez, Co and other respondents of involvement in an alleged scheme through which about P56 billion in ill-gotten wealth was accumulated from 2022 through 2025 in connection with government projects. The P56-billion amount is an allegation contained in the complaint and has not been established in court. Investigators have cited witness accounts describing alleged deliveries of cash in suitcases among the evidence under review. Romualdez’s lawyers dispute those accounts and contend that investigators have not produced forensic, physical or documentary evidence directly linking him to the alleged deliveries. The National Bureau of Investigation has separately questioned whether a joint affidavit submitted by 18 former Co security personnel was sufficient without independent corrobora-
tion. That review is distinct from the evidence being evaluated by the Ombudsman. Malacañang has said Guteza’s recantation and his new allegations should also be investigated. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Romualdez’s cousin, has said through the Palace that he would not interfere in the Ombudsman inquiry. After the respondents complete their submissions, Ombudsman prosecutors will determine whether the evidence establishes probable cause to bring any charges before the Sandiganbayan. n
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY RFP NO. LI308-27 ENTERPRISE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
SCRRA is seeking proposals for a learning management system. Proposal documents may be downloaded at SCRRA's website at http:// www.metrolinktrains.com/ contracts. Proposals are due on 9/28/26. For further information contact: Tammi Phillips, Sr. Contract and Compliance Administrator, at PhillipsT@ scrra.net. 8/22/26 CNS-4066703# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)
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AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
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Buwan ng Wika: Patriotism does not require choosing between English and our own languages The more consequential question behind Buwan ng Wika is whether fluency in a global language must come at the expense of the languages Filipinos inherit at home. EVERY August, Philippine schools mark Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa with speeches, poetry, songs and lessons on the national language. Then the programs end, the decorations come down, and in many households the language celebrated in school is used less and less between generations. That contradiction deserves more attention than another annual appeal to “love our language.” Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa took its present month-long form in 1997, when President Fidel V. Ramos declared August 1 to 31 the annual observance. Its roots reach to the 1935 Constitution, which called for the development of a national language based on one of the country’s native languages. In 1937, President Manuel L. Quezon approved Tagalog as the basis of that national language. That history also explains a recurring question: What is the difference among Tagalog, Pilipino and Filipino? Tagalog is a Philippine language. The nation-
al language developed from Tagalog, but in 1959 it was officially called Pilipino. The older Abakada alphabet did not include the letter F, hence Pilipino rather than Filipino. The 1973 Constitution introduced Filipino as the name of the national language to be developed, and the 1987 Constitution declared Filipino the national language, directing that it continue to evolve and be enriched by existing Philippine and other languages. Filipino, therefore, is not simply Pilipino spelled with an F. It represents a broader national concept, although in actual grammar and everyday usage Filipino remains very close to Tagalog. That gap between constitutional aspiration and linguistic practice helps explain why the ter-
Editorial
public lives Randy David
THE P92.8-million flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan, for which former Sen. Bong Revilla is now on trial, was inserted into the national budget through an errata. In his 2025 State of the Nation Address (Sona), President Marcos named the method from the podium: “Mga kickback, mga initiative, errata, SOP, for the boys.” “Leadership fund” is the latest label for an old discredited practice historically called “pork barrel.” It does not appear as such in the budget; there is no item by that name in the National Expenditure Program (NEP) or the General Appropriations Act (GAA). Legislators, who are supposed to be its beneficiaries, deny knowing the term, and they are technically correct. But they probably won’t say they don’t know what it means. Sen. Panfilo Lacson, who has pressed the issue hardest, calls it improper but not illegal, a gray area, like so many things in our country where politics trumps the law. Former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan testified before the Sandiganbayan
PERCEPTIONS Ariel Nepomuceno
FILIPINO farmers should not be poor. They feed our nation, yet the social injustice prevails for generations. Our farmers produce our staple food, rice. They provide our fish, vegetables and other essential foods too, but they remain the country’s poorest workers. This is not an agricultural problem. This is our nation’s failure. We cannot seriously claim that we are fighting poverty while at least 9.5 million agricultural workers are trapped in poverty. The solution must not be limited to short-term subsidies, distribution of farm inputs or another government program that terminates when the administration changes. We need to transform Philippine agriculture from subsistence farming into a modern, technology-driven and profitable industry. Our farmers must become
Leadership fund: Improper but not illegal this month, as prosecution witness in the malversation case against Revilla, that a “leadership fund” of P24 billion had been set aside in his agency for senators’ priority projects in the 2025 budget. About P21 billion was actually taken up, against P13.29 billion the year before. Bonoan is himself charged and detained at the Philippine National Police General Hospital, a co-accused of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada in a nonbailable plunder case. Former Senate President Migz Zubiri has denied the P24-billion figure. All senators of the 19th Congress availed themselves of the privilege, Bonoan said, submitting their lists to the DPWH, usually through former Undersecretary Roberto Bernardo. These were vetted by the planning service, then folded into the agency’s submission to the Department of Budget and Management. “The leadership fund came about due to the numerous cuts we observed in 2023,” Bonoan explained. “When it came up in the GAA, to our surprise and dismay, the core programs of the department were reduced drastically.” Up to 88.8 percent of funds for foreign-assisted projects had been cut and reallocated at the bicam. Pre-accommodating the
minology still provokes debate. Must Filipinos choose between proficiency in English and preservation of their own languages? English is an educational and economic asset. It gives Filipinos access to scholarship, science, technology, commerce and professional opportunities. The Constitution itself recognizes both Filipino and English as official languages for communication and instruction, while regional languages
Babe’s Eye View
Senate, he reasoned, would deter it. Or so he thought. He also took this to Malacañang. “I reported it to the President. The President was alarmed by the reduction of the budgets … it will derail the implementation of the socioeconomic agenda.” The instruction to find a remedy came at a Cabinet meeting. The Palace said this week that Marcos had no personal knowledge of the fund and would not have tolerated it. As a practical solution to congressional mangling of the NEP, the fund sounded sensible enough. But it was patently improper, Lacson argues, because it solicited congressional participation at the budget preparation phase, an executive function. And it failed on its own terms: insertions at the bicam continued unabated anyway. In this light we see the 2025 Sona differently. “Mahiya naman kayo!” was a direct address, not so much to the private contractors as to the assembled legislators, who stood up to applaud as though the message was not meant for them. I don’t want to dwell on the moral failure of individuals. More crucial to me as a sociologist is the systemic environment in u PAGE 8
Modernize agriculture, end the poverty of farmers businessmen. For too long, the government policy has focused on helping our farmers produce. But producing more does not mean earning more. A farmer can harvest a bumper crop and still lose money if farmgate prices collapse, middlemen dominate the market, storage is unavailable and logistics is expensive. The farmers must, therefore, be directly connected to the market. Government must encourage and support cooperatives, agribusiness companies, supermarkets, food processors and exporters to enter into longterm purchasing arrangements with farmers. Instead of selling raw products immediately after harvest, farmers should increasingly participate in sorting, packaging, processing and marketing. The difference between selling mangoes and selling processed mango products can mean the difference between poverty and
ManilaTimes.net photo
prosperity. Technology must reach the smallest farms. Modern agriculture cannot depend entirely on manual labor and traditional practices. We need precision agriculture, drones, satellite mapping, sensors, automated irrigation, better seeds, modern machinery and digital platforms that provide farmers with real-time information about weather, prices and demand. Technology must not be limited to large plantations. The poorest farmers should have access to the same agricultural knowledge available to the richest farmers. Government can help through shared machinery centers, digital agricultural services, demonstration farms and affordable financing. Land must become productive and land reform must not end with giving farmers farmlands. Small farms often struggle because they lack economies of u PAGE 8
Babe Romualdez FOR the past few weeks, questions about Pax Silica have been brought forward. Is it really good for the Philippines? Will it bring investments and jobs as promised? What about the environment, water and electricity requirements and questions involving Philippine sovereignty? These are definitely legitimate questions that deserve factual answers. However, we should not reject outright an opportunity before examining what it can actually bring or do. Our electronics and semiconductor industry is significant, and we have a technically capable workforce. Pax Silica presents an opportunity to move further up the value chain and not be stuck with lower-value activities because our engineers and scientists are capable of doing more. Trade Undersecretary Perry Rodolfo described the proposed hub as a “win-win,” framing economic security in terms of improving the lives of Filipinos and increasing Philippine participation in emerging industrial supply chains. Economic analysts
THE POLITICAL HECKLER Ronald Llamas MANY parts of Luzon were submerged last week due to torrential rains brought by the enhanced habagat. The scenes were painfully reminiscent of last year’s flooding just before President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), when he uttered, “Mahiya naman kayo!” – a pointed rebuke of those behind the multibillion-peso flood control corruption scandal. A year later, the rains have returned, and so have the floods. Homes and vehicles were again submerged, lives were lost, thousands were evacuated, classes and work were suspended and livelihoods were disrupted. Here we go again. Some of the areas hardest hit by this week’s habagat floods are the same places that figured prominently in the flood control controversy. Bulacan, the home province of Sen. Joel Villanueva, whose name was dragged into
retain recognized roles. Mastering English is not a retreat from patriotism. A Filipino can speak impeccable English and remain deeply connected to the country. Conversely, fluency in Filipino is not by itself proof of love of country. Patriotism is demonstrated in conduct, responsibility and contribution. But language still matters. u PAGE 7
Pax Silica: Will it be good for the country, or not? say Pax Silica can strengthen Philippine resilience and industrialization; it’s a manufacturing and high-technology endeavor rather than a war-driven project. While we were one of the first to be chosen, there are those quick to speculate on the downside instead of examining the potential upside. Some concerns raised are legitimate, but quite a number of those mouthing criticisms are obviously advancing other interests, totally not serving our own. Global interest has been growing on Pax Silica, a US-led initiative aimed at strengthening secure technology supply chains among trusted partners. The initiative reaches across core sectors that are critical to the global technology ecosystem: critical minerals, semiconductors and electronics, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, computing and data infrastructure. Launched last December, membership has since rapidly expanded to over 30 countries, with many others eager to join the initiative. The Philippines formally joined Pax Silica in April. Under the framework, the US and the Philippines plan to establish an Economic Security Zone span-
ning approximately 4,000 acres in New Clark City within the Luzon Economic Corridor (LEC). The proposed site is the first AI-native industrial acceleration hub under Pax Silica and will also serve as a platform for allied manufacturing. It’s an ecosystem that would connect technology companies, research institutions and government agencies, and attract high-value investments. The initiative is important because the world economy is going through a massive transformation, shifting away from traditional globalization to a model that is focused on the twin objectives of national and economic security – essentially two sides of the same coin. Artificial intelligence is no longer simply about computers providing smart or clever answers. AI, and the technologies surrounding it, are going to increasingly influence how factories operate, how medicines are discovered, how logistics networks function, how financial systems work and, ultimately, how competitive nations will become. Secure supplies of semiconductors, critical minerals, energy, computing capacity u PAGE 8
The floods won’t stop till we learn to vote right the flood control scandal, is underwater yet again. Cavite, the political turf of former senator Bong Revilla, who was recently granted bail in his supposedly non-bailable malversation case, has likewise been inundated. The irony is hard to miss. Then there is Parañaque, which was among the areas badly hit by last week’s floods, particularly Sucat Road and its nearby communities. The flooding was exacerbated by a massive accumulation of garbage in the Redemptorist Water Channel near Baclaran Church. It was reported that almost 750 metric tons of waste and debris, equivalent to around 203 truckloads of garbage, were removed. A damaged trash trap reportedly allowed the garbage to accumulate and obstruct the flow of water, raising serious questions about the maintenance and readiness of flood-management infrastructure. Even parts of EDSA, which had only recently undergone rehabilitation by the Department
of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), were flooded and developed fresh potholes following the heavy rains. DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon personally inspected the damage and expressed anger over the condition of the recently rehabilitated road. While he has since pledged to make the contractors repair the damage at no additional cost to the government, this remains a black eye for an administration that promised to do better in the wake of the infrastructure corruption scandal. And then there is Marilao, Bulacan. It was reported that on Aug. 10, 2026, a river wall in Barangay Prenza II collapsed only about two months after it was completed. The collapse occurred amid the rains and flooding brought by the enhanced habagat, opening a floodgate of questions. And the problem is not confined to Luzon. Davao City, the bailiwick of twice-impeached Vice President Sara Duterte, who u PAGE 8
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ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026
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PH’s untapped manufacturing advantage Community flood control measures doing what governments can’t COMMENTARY Samuel Yang THE Philippines has something every manufacturer wants: a large and growing market. With more than 110 million consumers, a young and educated workforce, widespread English proficiency, and strong relationships with major global economies, the country has many ingredients needed to become a stronger manufacturing economy. For decades, remittances, tourism, business process outsourcing, mining, and services have supported growth. The Philippines can now use its domestic market to build something more: industrial capability. Every year, billions of dollars’ worth of electrical equipment, construction materials, machinery, appliances, renewable-energy equipment, household goods, and industrial components are imported. Many will continue to be imported. That is normal for an open economy. But where domestic demand is substantial and sustainable, a simple question should be asked: Why import the finished product if it can be competitively manufactured in the Philippines? What we learned in Batangas. Our experience has strengthened my confidence in Philippine manufacturing. In September last year, we leased factory facilities in Sto. Tomas, Batangas. More than 600 40-foot containers of manufacturing equipment began arriving from overseas in December. After installation, commissioning, and workforce training, the factory began partial production in July. Today, it produces advanced solar cells for export to the United States. The factory has already recruited more than 500 Filipino
employees, many of them young university graduates, and we expect employment to reach approximately 900 local workers by year-end. The Filipino workforce has impressed us. Young employees learn quickly and adapt well to advanced manufacturing, while local engineers show strong technical and problem-solving capabilities. The Philippines need not compete only on low labor costs; its greater advantage can be the quality and adaptability of its people. A P2,000 meter that could cost P1,000. Local manufacturing can also benefit Filipino consumers directly. Consider a conventional electricity meter. A meter that may cost roughly P400 in the Chinese market can cost around P2,000 in the Philippines, depending on specifications, certification, and procurement. Suppose components are initially imported while assembly, testing, and quality control are performed locally, bringing total production cost to approximately P500. If the meter can be sold for P1,000, consumers could potentially save around P1,000 while the manufacturer retains sufficient margin to build a viable business. More importantly, part of that P500 would pay Filipino salaries, local logistics, factory expenses, testing, packaging, and eventually locally sourced components. This is how a consumer market gradually becomes an industrial ecosystem. The objective is not to manufacture everything locally, but products where demand, economics, skills, and technology make Philippine production competitive. Assembly is a starting point. Industrial capability develops gradually. A new factory may initially import most machinery and components. That is not a failure of localization; it can be the first stage. Over time, more Filipino engineers can be trained, more components sourced domestically,
local suppliers developed, and manufacturing advanced from assembly toward engineering, product development, research, and innovation. The goal should not simply be a “Made in the Philippines” label. It should be more value made in the Philippines. As global supply chains are reshaped by tariffs, trade tensions, and geopolitical changes, manufacturers are seeking diversified production locations. The Philippines can position itself not only as a large consumer market, but also as a trusted manufacturing platform serving global markets. Turn purchasing power into industrial power. Government need not build these factories. Its role is to enable investment through predictable approvals, reliable infrastructure, competitive power, appropriate incentives, technical education, industrial land, and financing. Private investors must bring capital, technology, management, markets, and training. Filipino workers provide the human capability. Success should not be measured only by how much foreign investment enters the country or how many factories are announced. A more meaningful question is: How much lasting industrial capability does each investment leave behind? Our Batangas experience has given me confidence in the answer. The Philippines already has the consumers. It already has the workers. And increasingly, it has the opportunity. The next step is to turn the purchasing power of 110 million consumers into the industrial power of a manufacturing nation. (Inquirer.net) ***
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.
*** Samuel Yang is an Australian renewable energy entrepreneur and chair of GBF New Power Group Inc.
PH DOJ warns: Extremists targeting minors in violent online games Authorities investigate recruitment through gaming communities and private chats as government expands scrutiny of online threats to children by AJPress MANILA — Philippine authorities are investigating online networks that allegedly target minors through violent gaming communities, social-media platforms and private chat groups, raising concern that children are being drawn into digital spaces where violence, coercion and extremist material can spread with little oversight. Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Thursday that investigators are pursuing information that recruiters identify minors active in violent online games, engage them directly and move some conversations into private group chats. He said the information remains under verification and should not be treated as a finding against any particular platform or user. The inquiry is part of a broader government effort to track online groups suspected of grooming vulnerable young people. In June, the Philippine National Police said cooperation with the FBI and other Philippine agencies led to 14 operations involving 21 Filipino minors whom authorities described as having been exposed to violent-extremist influence online. Police subsequently intensi-
fied monitoring of transnational networks believed to use gaming, messaging and social-media communities to approach children. Authorities have said the concern is not gaming itself, but the possibility that recruiters exploit online spaces where young users can be contacted privately and moved into less visible channels. The Senate has also examined reports that minors are being manipulated through gaming and messaging platforms. Sen. Risa Hontiveros has pushed for stronger child-online-safety protections as lawmakers consider how existing laws apply to private chats, livestreams and foreign-based digital services. Government officials have increasingly used the term nihilistic violent extremism, or NVE, to describe some emerging online networks associated with extreme violence, coercion, self-harm and exploitation. International experts caution, however, that such networks do not always fit conventional definitions of terrorism or organized extremist movements. The issue has received heightened attention following fatal school shootings in Tacloban in June and Zamboanga this month. Authorities have investigated whether online influences played
any role, but they have not established that an extremist organization directed the Zamboanga attack. Cybercrime officials are also pressing technology companies for faster intervention when violent material appears online. At a Senate hearing Thursday, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center Executive Director Renato Paraiso said Philippine authorities alerted Meta shortly after a livestream of the Zamboanga attack appeared but lacked immediate power to compel its removal. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has separately called for a ban on Roblox, citing concerns over children's exposure to harmful online environments. Roblox says it employs age-assurance measures, filtered communications, automated detection systems and reporting tools. Philippine authorities have not found that Roblox caused either school shooting. Paraiso urged lawmakers to expand the government's authority over messaging, streaming and other digital services, arguing that existing jurisdiction can leave Philippine agencies dependent on foreign technology companies when harmful content must be removed quickly. n
DRUG BUST. Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno (3rd from right) leads the inspection of approximately 43 kg. of suspected shabu, with an estimated street value of PHP292.4 million, concealed in fabric pouches made to resemble talc stones at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) on Thursday (Aug. 20, 2026). The shipment, consisting of two 20-foot containers declared as “talc stones,” underwent a 100 percent physical examination following stringent BOC profiling and monitoring of high-risk shipments. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
Sometimes, although unfortunately, you just have to do things yourself
by Carl Martin Agustin Inquirer.net
RAIN brought by the Southwest Monsoon has affected residents in flood-prone areas. Again, they have to evacuate, choose between the things they can and cannot bring, and eventually return to a home submerged in murky water. It’s been a year since the whole flood control issue came to light, and yet we’re still dealing with this—and we’re not even talking about a super typhoon. Fortunately, there is some progress. Marikina City’s dredging operations at the Marikina River have reduced overall water levels in the usually flooded area. However, according to Marikina 2nd District Representative Miro Quimbo, two pumping stations were reported to have not been working over the weekend, resulting in flooding in Barangay Tumana and Malanday. It isn’t perfect. Still, it’s an improvement over the norm. But what about the rest? Amid the ongoing rains affecting parts of Luzon and Visayas, some have taken to putting up their own flood control measures—some using PVC panels and makeshift materials, and others, industrial-grade blockades. Because (unfortunately) some-
times, you just have to do things yourself. Pooling together against floodwater A group of residents in Noveleta, Cavite opted to take flood control measures into their own hands. Costing around P5,000 to P6,000—and split within a small community—they used tubular steel, sheet metal, and foam to block flood waters from entering their alleyway. How effective was this DIY measure? In a video posted by King Nazareth Dayao Co’Arle, a resident in Noveleta, the makeshift flood barrier was seen to be holding strong against flood waters as tall as a person. Kanya-kanya Meanwhile, a family from Brgy. Pulang Lupa Dos, Las Piñas City set up their own barrier after experiencing heavy floods last year. According to homeowner Paula Bianca Castro, they reportedly spent P126,000 on six flood barrier panels to cover just a small garage. As for water pooling behind the gate from the rain, they also installed a mini pump that flushed excess water back to the street. Budget home measures Not everyone can afford a P100,000 floodgate, so TikToker Momshie Rosie took it upon
herself to find a cheaper alternative. Her solution? A few PVC panels and sealant purchased at a nearby Wilcon. While she hasn’t tested its efficacy since it hasn’t flooded in her area, a follower of hers tried the DIY solution and shared that it did prevent water from entering their home. Flood control for a few These few examples are again proof of the Filipino’s indomitable spirit—not the usual resilience of getting back to one’s feet but the resourcefulness necessary to take matters into one’s own hands and avoid tragedy altogether. Still, as wonderful as this is, it is only a stopgap that isn’t addressing the bigger concern. Yes, DIY flood control measures may work and prevent water from entering your home. But what about the street? What about the rest of the community who can’t afford to do the same? And what about mobility during typhoons? The best form of flood control is to have none at all because if the government did its job, this wouldn’t be a problem to begin with. What’s more, these stopgaps, while effective within their own bubbles, won’t do anything meaningful in the long run but pass the government’s responsibility to everyone else. n
Philippine ube industry forms national group to expand production, exports MANILA — Philippine ube growers, processors and other industry stakeholders have formed a national organization as the government seeks to expand production and increase the crop’s export potential. United Ube PH Association Inc. has registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as a non-stock, non-profit organization, according to the Department of Agriculture. Its members include farmers, cooperatives, processors, traders, exporters, researchers and academic institutions. The group emerged from a
July stakeholders meeting convened by Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. The department said the organization is intended to improve coordination on production, standards, marketing and market access. Supply remains a major constraint. DOST-PCAARRD has cited shortages of quality planting materials, seasonal production and limited adoption of improved technologies in Bohol, which the agency says accounts for nearly one-third of national purple-yam output. In June, the Bureau of Plant Industry and the Philippine Root Crop Research and Training
Center distributed more than 60,000 ube planting materials worth nearly P2.6 million to 900 farmers in Leyte and Bohol. Agriculture officials said the administration included P300 million for ube industry support in its proposed 2027 budget, including funding for nurseries. The amount remains subject to congressional approval. The department said United Ube PH is exploring market links with institutional buyers and Philippine and German business chambers. No completed contracts were identified. The group also plans to hold the first National Ube Forum in Pagadian City in September.
CA overturns nearly P388-million award in Bohol airport bid dispute by AJPress MANILA — The Court of Appeals has overturned a lower-court ruling requiring the Manila International Airport Authority to pay nearly P388 million to a construction joint venture disqualified from a 2010 bidding for an airport project in Panglao, Bohol. In a July 31 decision, the CA’s Thirteenth Division upheld MIAA’s disqualification of the joint venture between First United Constructors Corp. and Blue Star Construction and Development Corp. The consortium had submitted the lowest bid but was found not to have met the Single
Largest Completed Contract requirement. The Pasay City Regional Trial Court had awarded about P386.5 million in actual and compensatory damages, P1 million in exemplary damages and P300,000 in attorney’s fees for claimed losses involving equipment rental income, overhead expenses and expected profit. The CA found that the evidence did not adequately establish those losses, including whether equipment had been committed exclusively to the project. It also sustained the Bids and Awards Committee’s evaluation of the consortium’s qualifications, finding no showing that
the committee acted arbitrarily or with manifest injustice. The court noted that the invitation to bid allowed MIAA to reject bids or annul the procurement before a contract was awarded. Because no contract with the consortium had been awarded or perfected, the CA found no basis for the damages imposed by the trial court. The dispute stemmed from an earlier government plan to replace Tagbilaran Airport with a new facility on Panglao Island. That procurement was later canceled. A successor project developed with Japanese assistance resulted in Bohol-Panglao International Airport, which opened in 2018.
Buwan ng Wika: Patriotism does not... PAGE 6 Language carries humor, family relationships and ideas that translation cannot always reproduce neatly. Words such as kilig, tampo, lambing, hiya, pakikisama and utang na loob reveal how much cultural meaning can be compressed into speech. The debate over mother-tongue education shows how difficult preservation becomes when principle meets policy. The Philippines once required mother-tongue instruction from kindergarten through Grade 3. Republic Act No. 12027, enacted in 2024, ended that blanket requirement. Filipino and English again became the principal media of instruction, while regional languages may serve as auxiliary media and mother-tongue instruction remains possible in qualifying monolingual classes. The change does not settle the larger argument over whether children benefit from learning first in a language they understand best. It does show the practical challenge facing a multilingual country, including teacher preparation, instructional materials and classrooms where children may not share the same first language. Outside the Philippines, the issue is less about government policy than what happens inside the home. Children growing up in an-
other country are immersed in its dominant language through school, friends, media and everyday life. A Philippine language may depend largely on parents and grandparents for survival. Language loss can happen almost unnoticed. A parent speaks Filipino, Ilocano, Cebuano or another Philippine language; the child understands but answers in the dominant language. Because communication still works, the arrangement continues. Eventually comprehension weakens, speaking becomes difficult, and another generation may inherit only greetings, food names and family terms. Parents should not be casually blamed. Some believe concentrating on English will help their children succeed. Some remember being teased because of their accents and do not want their children to experience the same thing. Others lack the time or support to maintain two languages. In families whose parents come from different linguistic backgrounds, there may not even be one Philippine language shared by everyone. The mistake is assuming that one language must be surrendered for another. A language does not survive because people praise it every August. It survives because people use it at breakfast, in jokes,
during arguments, in stories and in conversations with grandparents. Schools, cultural organizations and community programs can reinforce it, but transmission ultimately takes place between people. Nor should fluency become a test of Filipino authenticity. Mocking someone for imperfect Filipino, or for speaking a regional language with an unfamiliar accent, can discourage the people language advocates hope to bring closer. Buwan ng Wika should therefore stand for something more demanding than ceremonial pride. Filipinos do not need to retreat from English, or from any other language that broadens opportunity. The more confident position is to reject the idea that advancement requires giving up what was inherited at home. Teach children English well. Let them learn the languages that enlarge their world. But when possible, give them the language of their grandparents too. Not because it makes them more Filipino than anyone else, but because knowing another language adds a choice. Losing one removes it. A global language can open the world to a Filipino child. Our own languages can tell that child where the journey began. (AJPress)
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AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 937-9981 • (818) 937-9982 • (213) 250-9797
Convergence of history, Modernize agriculture, end the poverty... theology and spirtual imagination PART ONE: Filipino Catholics find a growing voice in the American Church An interdiocesan consultation brings together clergy and lay Catholics to reflect on Filipino leadership, ministry and an increasingly multicultural Church Rhizomes
Prosy AbarquezDelacruz, J.D. “We cannot claim universality [of the Catholic Church] while suppressing particularity. We cannot preach community while overlooking individual communities [ethnicities]. And we cannot celebrate diversity while treating Filipino faith as mere decoration rather than as a genuine theological contribution.” — Fr. Michael Montoya, 2026 I have not been this excited in a long time to share the nuggets of wisdom I gained from attending a consultation on Filipino Catholics: Gifts to the Church and the World. At first, I thought the title sounded pretentious. Then I dug deeper into the positive contributions of Filipino American priests. I recalled how my publishers, Cora Oriel and Roger Oriel, once assigned me to interview Filipino priests in Southern California. They were prescient. The National Association of Filipino Priests, formed in 2009, has since held five national congresses, where member priests have found support, growth and unity. At the time of its formation, more than 900 priests attended the first Congress. I wrote feature stories on 51 priests and two bishops, published in Asian Journal Press and Balikbayan Magazine. I interviewed priests of Irish, German, Japanese, Mexican, Chinese and Filipino descent. Embedded in their stories were their struggles and the ways they transcended them, guided by the grace of the Holy Spirit, sustained by strong ties to their pastoral communities and supported by their biological families. Some built churches and community halls; curated exhibits of statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary, including 50 collected from donors from different countries; built meditation gardens incorporating statues of saints; renovated century-old churches; and formed dynamic ministries to meet pastoral needs. Others developed relationships with other faiths that grew into interfaith coalitions addressing community needs for unity and harmony. In some parishes, every nook and cranny of the church was transformed through the engagement of parishioners, from the young to the old. Some priests helped establish children’s church choirs whose members later became academic scholars; built memorial shrines for ancestors with the Pietà and LED-lit candles; and led Marian and Holy Land pilgrimages. Some pursued advanced degrees, completed doctorates and authored books. Two composed songs, and one wrote musicals to popularize the lives of saints. Seared in my memory is the story of a priest who traveled to reach his mountain parishes, walking mountainous trails and passing through three security checkpoints: one guarded by the government military, another by the opposition and a third by a community sentry in his home province in the Philippines. Can you imagine the interpersonal skills required to transcend fear while passing through three different security checkpoints? Another priest rode a motorbike for hours over an unpaved road to reach a place of worship near the hinterlands, arriving covered in dust, sweat and dirt. A historic interdiocesan gathering On August 8, 2026, 88 attendees gathered from the dioceses of Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, Las Vegas and San Diego, along with students from Hawaii, for a historic interdiocesan consultation. What impressed me was how smoothly the six-hour seminar unfolded: concise 30-minute presentations by three priests, three group discussions and a
"Fishers of Men", done by Jose Garcia Moreno
report-back from participants. With the use of Menti.com, our synthesis was displayed concurrently as the day progressed. It reminded me of a strategic planning meeting I attended in 2002-2003 with 60 members of the American Society for Quality, led by Elizabeth Keim. Participants used dedicated Apple iPads programmed for a national consultation meeting. It was impressive to see everyone’s input appear on the main screen. Participants were encouraged to share more, and by the end of the meeting, they complimented the conveners on a process that promoted democratic and inclusive participation. Every contribution was recognized; none was excluded. I was struck by how technology could serve as an equalizer, especially given the history of this international professional organization, which since 1946 had been led overwhelmingly by men: 75 white male leaders and only six women, or about 8 percent, over its 80-year history. I saw the untapped potential. This consultation was no different. It was moving to see participants’ voices heard and their reflections synthesized and projected onto the large screen. The use of Menti.com encouraged people who had initially been shy and timid at our table to stand and share stories from their hearts, some with tears as they recalled periods of isolation they had once experienced. They were not griping or venting. They were recalling memories that had helped guide them toward healing, speaking honestly about their own experiences. Places of brokenness had become places where they were now experiencing grace. Was it the prayers of Bishop Alex Aclan, invoking the Holy Spirit to open our minds and hearts to one another and to help us share honestly about our lives? Was it the combined effect of the three priests’ presentations? Was it the adept facilitation of Clarissa Ann Martinez, assistant director of the Subcommittee on Asian and Pacific Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops? Or was it the engaged participation and focus of the attendees? Perhaps it was all of these. Filipino leadership in parish life Just as the American Society for Quality had only six women in national executive leadership positions over its 80-year history, Catholic churches did not have Filipino pastors and administrators until the 20th century. At the rank of bishops, there are six Filipino auxiliary bishops and one full bishop, called an ordinary, while California has around 19 active diocesan and auxiliary bishops, two archbishops and a cardinal. Most recently, 12 priests have retired. At Our Lady of Assumption, now 80 years old, Fr. Michael Montoya is the first Filipino pastor. At Incarnation Church in Glendale, now in its 99th year, Fr. Rodel Balagtas is its first Filipino pastor. He is overseeing the renewal of the church and expansion of its campus to include a new parish community hall, two classrooms for music and art, a new courtyard and a landscaped parking lot designed in part for heat mitigation. These renovations are intended to provide strategically for seven more generations to come. A decade ago, he also
Photo of Fr. John Ernesto Cordero
Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Fr. Michael Montoya and Fr. John Ernesto Roxas Cordero, with Bishop Alex Aclan Photo of Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz
renovated and updated the century-old Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in East Hollywood. At Holy Family in Artesia, now in its 96th year, Fr. John Ernesto Cordero, a Filipino pastor, is at the helm, following Fr. Raymond Decipeda. There, we see more than a renewal of structures. We also see an upsurge in devotees following the permanent placement of a replica of the Black Nazarene. On Valentine’s Day 2026, it attracted more than 1,500 devotees. The replica is also transferred to churches in other dioceses, attracting additional devotees. Holy Family Church has a new mural created by Jose Garcia Moreno around the theme “fishers of men.” Its “intertwined fish moving through the spiral symbolize the interconnectedness of the community, from all different backgrounds, different roots,” according to Fr. John, whose flock consists of Filipinos, Portuguese, Chinese and Spanish parishioners, as well as a Panamanian deacon. Beyond the symbolic mural and what has been called the browning of the pews is a larger reality: Filipino Catholics are increasingly part of the leadership and daily life of multicultural Catholic communities. But the priests who addressed the Claremont consultation challenged participants to look beyond numbers, representation and physical presence. Their argument was that Filipino Catholics bring something else to the Church: a history, a spirituality and a theological perspective that deserve to be understood on their own terms. Part Two: Beyond “No Filipinos Allowed” — Filipino faith as a theological contribution *** 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. *** Prosy Abarquez-Delacruz, J.D. writes a weekly column for Asian Journal, called “Rhizomes.” She has been writing for AJ Press for 13 years. She also contributes to Balikbayan Magazine. Her training and experiences are in science, food technology, law and community volunteerism for 4 decades. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of the Philippines, a law degree from Whittier College School of Law in California and a certificate on 21st Century Leadership from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. She has been a participant in NVM Writing Workshops taught by Prof. Peter Bacho for 4 years and Prof. Russell Leong. She has travelled to France, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Costa Rica, Mexico and over 22 national parks in the US, in her pursuit of love for nature and the arts.
PAGE 6 scale. Farmers should be encouraged – not forced – to organize into cooperatives or production clusters that allow them to collectively purchase machinery, negotiate prices, access financing and sell to large buyers that offer reasonable prices. A thousand small farmers acting together can become a powerful agricultural enterprise. Fix irrigation, roads and post-harvest losses. A farmer cannot compete globally if his harvest travels along poor roads, sits in the heat without refrigeration and reaches the market days later. Agricultural modernization therefore requires robust infrastructure. We need irrigation systems that allow multiple cropping, farm-to-market roads, warehouses, cold storage, drying facilities, processing centers and efficient logistics. Every peso invested in agricultural infrastructure should be viewed as an investment in rural incomes. Give farmers affordable capital. A farmer who cannot obtain affordable credit is forced into a vicious cycle. He borrows at high interest, buys expensive inputs, sells his harvest quickly to
liquidate soonest and then starts the cycle again. Government should drastically expand agricultural lending through digital lending, credit guarantees, crop insurance and stronger agricultural cooperatives. But financing must be linked to viable production and markets. Credits should help farmers grow, not simply help them survive another season. Make agriculture attractive to the next generation. Perhaps the worst warning signal is that many young Filipinos do not see farming as a future or an attractive option. Why would they? If farming means hard physical labor, uncertain income and little access to technology, young people will leave. We must make agriculture a modern profession. Imagine a young Filipino operating drones, managing a greenhouse, using artificial intelligence to determine planting schedules, running a cold storage facility or managing an agricultural export business. That is the farmer of the future. Government must stop working in silos. Agricultural policies involves far more than the Department Agriculture. Trade,
transportation, infrastructure, finance, education, technology, energy and local government all affect farm profitability. The question should no longer be simply: how much did we spend on agriculture? It should be, how much did the farmer earn? This is the number that matters. Modernizing agriculture is not merely about increasing food production. It is about creating prosperous rural communities. Agriculture can become an engine of inclusive growth rather than a sector permanently dependent on government assistance. The Filipino farmers don’t need pity. They need productivity, technology, capital, infrastructure and access to markets. We must build an agricultural system that allows them to prosper and be globally competitive. Modernize the farms. Empower our farmers. (Philstar. com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: arielnepo.philstar.com
The floods won’t stop till... PAGE 6 is currently at the center of corruption allegations, was also hit by severe flooding in late July, when torrential habagat rains, enhanced by Typhoon Kiyapo, inundated communities in Tugbok and Talomo. The flooding is difficult to dismiss simply as an “act of God,” as billions of pesos were infused into its flood control projects, particularly to the district of Congressman Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, during the presidency of his father. So, where, exactly, did all of Davao City’s flood-control money go? Down the drain? The floodwater certainly didn’t. Secretary Dizon inspected the Talomo River and discovered that a gabion flood control wall had been left unrepaired for seven years after it was damaged by a 2019 flood. He estimated that the repair would have cost less than P100 million. Angry and exasperated, he remarked that billions of pesos had been poured into the place, yet a relatively inexpensive repair had been left unattended for years. Here lies the painful truth. Yes, typhoons and climate change are real. The habagat is real, and extreme rainfall can overwhelm even well-designed infrastructure. But after the flood-control corruption was laid bare before the public, followed by promises of justice and accountabil-
ity, investigations and several high-profile arrests and detentions, the question is – why has so little changed? The damage inflicted by corruption on our public infrastructure is extremely deep, and overturning this requires a complete overhaul. Corruption has weakened the very systems that are supposed to protect communities and support economic life. Roads, bridges, drainage systems, flood-control structures and other public works are consistently compromised by corruption, neglect, poor planning and construction, with ordinary Filipinos paying for them again and again. We are confronting an infrastructure system plagued by decades of questionable priorities, weak enforcement, inadequate maintenance, fraudulent procurement and political patronage. This is why flooding cannot be treated simply as a problem of too much rain. Rain is inevitable. Disasters, however, are often made worse by corruption and bad governance. A city without proper urban planning, a road without adequate drainage, a river without regular maintenance, a community without an effective waste-management system and flood control funds that were ransacked are not acts of God. They are acts of plunder and misgovernance.
And corruption is only part of the problem. It is compounded by our long-standing failure to pursue coherent, long-term development planning. We don’t have a coherent long-term vision for how cities, industries, public transport, housing, agriculture and the environment should work together. We don’t lack the technology. We can look into Tokyo, Copenhagen and other cities for best practices. We also don’t lack money for infrastructure. What we lack is the political will from capable leaders to make every peso work toward a coherent national development vision. Last Friday, I came across a viral Facebook post that said: “Hindi matitigil ang baha hangga’t hindi tayo bumoboto ng tama.” I agree. But with an important addition: patuloy ang pagbaha hangga’t hindi binabago ang sistema. When corruption, bad governance and lack of a development vision turn heavy rains into disasters, that is not beyond our power to change. We may not be able to stop the rain. But we can jail all the plunderers. We can learn to vote right. And yes, we can change the system. (Philstar.com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
Leadership fund: Improper... PAGE 6 which the governance function is mired. Indeed, not everyone who uses “allocables” steals. But the system makes theft, in the form of kickbacks and bribes, low-risk, hard to see, and thus almost expected, and then leaves the choice to politicians who have campaign expenses to pay and utang na loob obligations to meet. Then there is fiscal centralization. Despite the Local Government Code and the Mandanas ruling, much infrastructure funding sits in national agencies, above all the DPWH. Funds for district needs must be negotiated nationally rather than raised locally. And the principle guiding the typ-
ical legislator in the scramble has always been to secure the maximum he can get, rather than the minimum he cannot do without. Pork thus operates as a functional substitute, not a badge of dishonor. Which is why simply banning it keeps failing. The Supreme Court struck down PDAF in 2013, prohibiting post-enactment participation and lump sums; the practice moved upstream into budget preparation. Pork explains why money flows to districts through legislators. It does not explain why some flood control structures were never built. Flood control is almost uniquely selected for fraud because its outputs are dispersed
along riverbanks where nobody looks. The public learns of them only when they fail, during a flood that destroys the evidence and supplies the alibi. So the name matters more than it seems. Ban the leadership fund, as Lacson urges, and the function will resurface under a term we have not yet heard. It has done so at least twice already. (Inquirer. net) *** 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: public.lives@gmail.com
Pax Silica: Will it be good...
PAGE 6 and advanced manufacturing are going to become matters of economic security and commercial policy. Modern supply chains proved vulnerable during the pandemic. And with the situation in the Middle East, governments and companies are looking for reliable locations to manufacture, process, store and move critical products. The Philippines’ geographic position, longstanding alliance with the US, the LEC and a large English-speaking workforce are advantages that should not be underestimated. However, enthusiasm for investment should never prevent us from insisting on safeguards that protect Philippine interests. We should aim for Filipino engineers designing technology, Filipino scientists conducting research, Filipino graduates working in advanced manufacturing and AI and Filipino companies eventually becoming suppliers and innovators in their own right. Environmental concerns must be addressed directly, particularly massive requirements for water and electricity, plus questions on land use, surrounding communities and environmental protection – issues that responsible planning must solve before and during
construction. The answer is not to choose between development and environmental protection as though the Philippines can have only one. The answer is to design the project properly: identify sustainable power sources, establish credible water-management plans, require environmental compliance, protect surrounding communities and make the standards and monitoring mechanisms transparent. A project advertised as representing the technological future should also aspire to modern environmental standards. An important point: there will be no AI and hyper-scale data centers inside New Clark City because the location does not have the required electricity supply, according to BCDA president and CEO Jake Bingcang, who disclosed that an interested AI company has chosen Malaysia instead. Which brings to mind something I have publicly emphasized: the Philippines is not the only country capable of hosting advanced technology investment. If we “drop the ball,” there are other Asian countries ready to take it on and move quickly without hesitation. The US and allied groups may see advantages in the Philippines, but we should never assume that investments will wait
forever while we go into the typical “paralysis by analysis.” The old saying “he who hesitates is lost” brings to mind the time when we “dropped the ball” on the Pfizer vaccines at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. We had 10 million vaccines that were coming our way, but by taking our time signing a prerequisite requirement, a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) which was so simple and could have possibly saved lives – we ended up at the end of the line. We have been talking for decades about advancing the Philippines into a modern industrial and technological nation. Yes, we should scrutinize Pax Silica and insist on safeguards. However, the bigger danger may not be Pax Silica coming to the Philippines but watching investments, technology and jobs going elsewhere – realizing years later that we once again missed out on a significant opportunity and allowed the future to pass us by. (Philstar. com) *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com
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Health @Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS WASHINGTON and Colorado, USA, were the first states to approve marijuana for nonmedical use in ballot initiatives on November 6, 2012, taking effect December 6, 2012, making marijuana legal for recreational use for adults 21 and older. The possession limit is 1 ounce (28.3 grams). New studies show that more Americans are shifting from alcohol to marijuana. Federal data show an estimated 21.4 million Americans use cannabis daily, compared to 17.2 million who imbibe alcohol with the same frequency. This reflects a 21-percent shift from 2022, jumping from the frying pan to the fire? The dangers of using marijuana “involve cognitive impairment, mental health vulnerabilities, respiratory and cardiovascular strain, and developing Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD).” We seem not to have learned from history. The Qing dynasty in China entered the peak addiction era from recreational opium between 1800 and 1911. More than 13. 5 million people were addicted, including 27 percent of its male population. This led to widespread national addiction and economic devastation, resulting in the final downfall of the Qing dynasty in 1912. Both opium and marijuana are psychotropic drugs. While opium is much more deadly than marijuana, the use of any such class of drug for recreation is unhealthy, to say the least. Why our legislators even approved this drug for recreational use is ludicrous and a disservice to society. We have enough problems; we do not need to add one, even if it is presented as a “safe recreational solution.” Besides, there are dozens of recreational activities available to everyone these days, thanks to computers, cellphones, and now, AIs, among others. Microwaving foods Warming or cooking food in a microwave is safe and healthy, as long as the container is glass or ceramic, not Styrofoam or plastic. Microwaves are a form of non-ionizing radiation and do not make food radioactive or alter its chemical structure, contrary to popular myth. Microwave ovens are safe as long as the protective shield is intact. If broken, the escaping radiation could cause painful tissue burns, intense redness and blurred vision, cataracts, and temporary sterility in men. There are inexpensive handheld radiation leak detectors available. Make sure your microwave oven is not damaged. While it is running, it is precautionary to stay at least 6 feet away. Microwaving foods preserves
Alcohol to Marijuana the vitamins and minerals in food, unlike boiling or baking. Stir the food halfway to distribute the heat evenly and not leave “cold spots,” where food-borne bacteria might survive. This mode of warming or cooking also saves a lot of time. Potatoes, corn, and bananas wrapped in a wet towel rapidly cook in 3 minutes. Fast, convenient, safe, and healthy. Jicama strategy Munching on jicama (singkamas in Tagalog), a crisp, juicy, ready-to-eat root vegetable, for snacks is an exceptional strategy for gut health and for satisfying the craving to chew or eat. It is a high-volume, low-calorie food that promotes fullness without consuming a heavy calorie count. One cup of jicama contains only about 49 calories, providing 1.8 g of sugar, a huge 6.4 grams of dietary fiber, and about 90 percent water. This slows down digestion, satisfies the urge to chew, and stretches our daily calorie budget, compared to common snacks. Jicama is very good for the gut microbiome, an exceptional source of inulin, a soluble prebiotic fiber that bypasses digestion in the small intestine to feed and stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria in the colon. With the same amount, Broccoli yields 31 calories, 2.4 g fiber, and 1.5 g sugar, and carrots, 52 calories, 3.6 g fiber, and 6.0 g sugar. Celery: 16 calories, 1.5 fiber, and 1.4 g sugar. Any of these, or a combination of them, is a healthier option for snacks compared to fast foods, sweets (carbohydrates), and toxic soft drinks, and it lowers the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, and even cancer. Remember: We are what we eat. Our diet is a major (primary) factor that determines our future health and longevity. Dangerous claim The “Boost’ TV commercial uses the term “temporary oxygen insufficiency” to justify the use of an oxygen supplement from a hand canister. That is not a medical diagnosis or an official medical entity. It is a gimmick to sell ‘Boost,” which is useless, even dangerous, for healthy individuals. Supplemental oxygen is beneficial only to those with cardiopulmonary disease, like heart failure or COPD, or those with hypoxia, and is dangerously unhealthy for those who are not short of breath with normal blood oxygen levels. The atmosphere provides us with 21 percent oxygen, which is the safe natural level of oxygen for people who don't have shortness of breath. Getting a higher percentage of oxygen damages normal lungs. In July 2024, Boost Oxygen LLC reached a $413,000 false advertising settlement with California (Ventura, St. Barbara, and Monterey counties) prosecutors.Caveat emptor!
God’s Trust in Us Pastor’s Notes Reverend Rodel G. Balagtas THERE are many times when we are called to trust: to trust people, to trust ourselves, to trust our bodies, to trust our leaders, and, most importantly, to trust God. In this Sunday’s Gospel, we see Jesus embodying this value of trust.
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Jesus trusted Simon, whom He named Peter, meaning “rock,” and entrusted him with the keys to the Kingdom of God. After Peter professed that Jesus is the Son of God, Jesus declared, “And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” It’s remarkable to see Jesus entrust the “keys to the kingdom of heaven” to an “imperfect” hu-
Less sugar for babies It has long been proven that an infant’s nutrition in the first 1000 days of life can affect their health later in life. A healthy, nourishing diet during the first years of life is vital in establishing a healthy gut microbiome, a strong immune system, and supporting brain development. A new study found that “infants exposed to less sugar in their first 1,000 days of life experienced lower risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease and dementia from any cause as adults. Scientists also found that consuming less sugar during the first 1,000 days of life also led to a lower risk of depression and anxiety later in life.” The principle of minimizing sugar to attain better health also applies to everyone. Planetary health diet The planetary health diet is based on the same principle as the Mediterranean diet, plantbased diet, or DASH diet, all rich in plants. Studies reveal that reducing intake of processed foods, red meats, salt, and sugars, while increasing fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and pulses, can help reduce the risk of health conditions such as overweight and obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers. Nutrition journal says, “This type of diet is also good for the planet, as plant farming produces fewer gases that contribute to the climate crisis. Now, a study suggests that, for postmenopausal women, a planetary health diet can significantly reduce by 28 percentage lower the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease. Encouragingly, the researchers say that even small changes to diet and exercise can have significant health benefits.” *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a decorated recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred 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
man being like Simon—who we recently heard sank in an ocean of fear in the Gospel reading a few weeks ago. It’s hard to imagine Peter as the leader of the flock when he denied Jesus three times. Yet, this is often the story we find in Scripture: God does not choose perfect human beings to lead the Church or to call individuals to ministry; He chooses those who remain faithful and humble, who acknowledge their sinfulness while also recognizing God’s unconditional love and mercy. As we often hear, God does not call the qualified; He qualifies the called. This means that God does not wait for a person to be perfect or skilled. Instead, He chooses ordinary people and empowers them
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026
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How to obtain Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Dads
ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child. A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby's life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend. One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33. Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611: (a) He and the child's natural
mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce. (2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation. (c) After the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child's father on the child's birth certificate. (2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order. (d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child's father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied. An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the
husband of the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612. Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute's underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675. Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines.
with the strength and wisdom they need for His work. I found this message reflected on a Facebook page, Catholic Christianity, regarding the life and ministry of priests. The author wrote: “There may come a moment in every priest's life when the applause becomes quieter, the assignments less impressive, the body weaker, and the future shorter. The priest may finally realize: I cannot do everything. And perhaps that is precisely where grace begins. Because Christianity was never about becoming indispensable; it was about becoming faithful. The mature priest does not necessarily become more impressive; he
becomes more surrendered. He learns that weakness does not render him useless. He learns that receiving love is also part of love. He learns that prayer is not an interruption of ministry. He learns that the Church is not his possession. He learns that his priesthood belongs to Christ. And eventually, the question changes. It is no longer: ‘What have I accomplished with my priesthood?’ It becomes: ‘Lord, after all these years, have I allowed You to make me Yours?’” I believe this message applies to every Christian. At the end of our lives, our legacy is measured not just by our accomplishments and successes, but by our fidelity to God, to Jesus Christ, and to the
values of the Kingdom reflected in our caring, loving, and just relationships with others. May we walk humbly with God, recognizing His call for us to serve His people in a conflicted world that desperately needs to hear the voice of His only begotten Son, Jesus. May we remain faithful to Jesus, trusting that He alone “qualifies” us. Amen. In Christ’s love, Fr. Rodel Balagtas
Barrister’s Corner A tty . K enneth U rsua R eyes
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*** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, nonspecific 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. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a 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, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
*** 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. *** Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California
10 AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
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Philippine Embassy and ASEAN Committee in D.C. Reinvigorate Warm Relations During 2026 ASEAN Day WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Embassy proudly joined fellow ASEAN missions in celebrating ASEAN Day 2026 on 18 August 2026 at the Royal Cambodian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The event, organized by the ASEAN Committee in Washington, D.C. (ACW) currently chaired by the Royal Cambodian Embassy, commemorated the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The gathering featured a morning reception that brought together ASEAN ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, U.S. government officials, and partners to mark the founding of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). This was followed by an outdoor reception that showcased Southeast Asian cuisine. As the Philippines holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez delivered remarks highlighting the Philippines’ priorities and commitment to strengthening ASEAN unity, cooperation, and partnership with the United States. “For its Chairship of ASEAN this year, the Philippines has chosen the theme ‘Navigating Our Future, Together’. We in ASEAN have
ASEAN Heads of Missions with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Hunt VanderToll (6th from left) do the ASEAN handshake during the 2026 ASEAN Day celebration. This year’s event was hosted by Cambodian Ambassador to the U.S. Koy Kuong (5th from left) and attended by Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (4th from left).
As the Philippines holds the ASEAN Chairmanship this year, Philippine Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez delivered remarks highlighting the Philippines’ priorities and commitment to strengthening ASEAN unity, cooperation, and partnership with the United States. PH Embassy WDC Photos
long recognized that our fates are intertwined and our interests align so closely, that it only makes sense to forge our path ahead as one Community,” the Ambassador said. The annual ASEAN Day, celebrated every August 8, marks
ASEAN’s founding in 1967 with the signing of the Bangkok Declaration. The celebration underscored the enduring importance of ASEAN solidarity and its shared commitment to advancing peace, stability, resilience, and prosperity in the region.
UCLA Fil-Am Alumnus Spearheads Pool Party with Several Purposes ON August 15, 2026, FilAm Bobby Rimas spearheaded the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Lambda Alumni Association Pool Party that brought together alumni, friends, and community members for a memorable afternoon of connection in a poolside environment. The successful poolside event, which took place at Fil-Am UCLA alumnus Harold Sarmiento’s residence in the Northridge neighborhood of Los Angeles, provided an opportunity for guests to network, create new relationships, and engage with the broader LGBTQ+ community. Most importantly, 70% of all pool party proceeds directly fund scholarships for deserving UCLA students, while the remaining 30% supports UCLA Lambda Alumni’s operations and alumni programming. The event reflected UCLA Lambda Alumni’s commitment to giving back to students while creating meaningful opportunities for alumni and community members to connect. UCLA Lambda (LGBTQ+) Alumni Association is a volunteer-led network of LGBTQ+ alumni and friends dedicated to supporting one another, UCLA students, and the broader LGBTQ+ community through social events, professional networking, community service, scholarships, and mentorship. As one of America's oldest and most established LGBTQ+ alumni organizations, UCLA Lambda
Bobby Rimas, second from right, President of the UCLA Lambda Alumni Association with fellow Lambda Board Members at the UCLA Lambda Alumni Pool Party.
Alumni continues to build a legacy of service, inclusion, and community. The August 15th celebration was a powerful testament to the spirit of community, pride, and friendship demonstrating how coming together can forge lasting connections while supporting deserving UCLA students with achieving their educational aspirations. Rimas, who is President of the UCLA Lambda Alumni Association, indicated that “I am proud to serve on the UCLA Lambda Board of Directors, where one of our key objectives is to help students achieve a world-class education by building an endowment that will expand scholarship opportunities and make a UCLA education accessible to more deserving students.” Rimas is as an Associate Professor and Interim Director of the Paralegal Studies Certificate Program at California
State University, Los Angeles. He is also a Paralegal at an Am Law 100 international law firm. His commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion extends to his role as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the Stonewall Democratic Club. Additionally, he serves as a Commssioner on the Palm Springs Human Rights Commission. Rimas holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from UCLA, a Master of Legal Studies degree, cum laude, with a concentration in Compliance and Legal Risk Management from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Diversity, Equity, and Social Justice in Education from The University of Texas at El Paso and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Louiisana State University Shreveport.
California AAPI legislative foundation offers $2,500 college scholarship Applications for AANHPI students are due Sept. 1 SACRAMENTO — The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Foundation is accepting applications for a $2,500 college scholarship aimed at helping Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students pursue higher education. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 1, 2026, according to the foundation’s current scholarship announcement.
The program provides financial assistance to AANHPI students attending or entering college. Applicants must complete all questions in the application and upload unofficial transcripts. Incoming freshmen are also required to submit proof of college acceptance. The scholarship is part of the foundation’s continuing efforts to reduce financial barriers to higher education for AANHPI students in California. Assemblymember Ash Kalra’s office described the program earlier this year as an initiative intended to help students meet the costs of pursuing a college education. The Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus Foundation is a separate nonprofit organization associated with the work of California’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. Public charity records U.S. Ambassador Lee Lipton and U.S. Department of War Under Secretary identify the Sacramento-based
Virtual Press Briefing with Under Secretary of War Elbridge Colby
ON Aug. 13, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand, I joined a virtual press Elbridge Colby met with President Bongbong Marcos in Malacanang. The briefing with Under Secretary of United States is fully committed to its Alliance with the Philippines and will War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby, Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge A. Colby. continue to work hand in hand for a free and open Indo-Pacific. who discussed the Department of War’s defense strategy in the Indo-Pacific. He described an approach centered on flexible realism, American strength and pragmatic Southeast Asian partnerships. Colby is the principal adviser to the Secretary of War on defense and foreign policy. He leads development and implementation 2nd placed Asian Journal columnist Rogelio of the National Defense Strategy, Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Constantino Medina of the Philippines (left) and 1st placed chief trainer Augustine Anthuvan of oversees related reviews on Joint Medina (left) with recent celebrator Atty. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Mediacorp’s Singapore Media Academy (right). Force planning and posture, and Vince M. Tañada (right). represents the department in ident, greeted me when I arThird was Shaurya Ritwik, Rubio announced sanctions interagency and foreign-govern- rived at about 9 p.m. on Dec. 31, against two ICC officials: ICC managing director of the Interment engagements. 2023. I spent the evening with President Tomoko Akane of Ja- national Institute for Sustainable Before assuming his post, Col- Atty. Vince; his mother, Emy; pan and senior trial lawyer Ab- Finance in Bonifacio Global City, by co-founded The Marathon In- his son, Peter Parker; Johnrey; doulaye Seye of Senegal. The Taguig, with 125,400 points. itiative, a think tank focused on several PhilStagers, including designations were made under Andi Novianto, a senior policy sustained great-power competi- OJ Arci, Fidel Redado, James Executive Order 14203, “Impos- analyst with Indonesia’s Coortion. Ramada, Awin Valencia, Gerald ing Sanctions on the Internation- dinating Ministry for Economic Colby is the author of Yale Magallanes, Carl Rasco, Lance al Criminal Court.” Affairs in Jakarta, placed fourth University Press’ 2021 book, The Cabradilla, Vean Cancino and According to Rubio, the two with 101,000 points. Strategy of Denial: American De- Bea Martin; and ABS-CBN singer officials had participated in ICC Reena Suri, executive director fense in an Age of Great Power JM Yosures. efforts to investigate, arrest, de- of the India Smart Grid Forum, Conflict. The Wall Street Journal Since then, I have often joined tain or prosecute officials from placed fifth with 56,200 points. named it one of its top 10 books them in covering their shows, governments that had not con- She was the only woman in the of the year, and it has been trans- including performances outside sented to the court’s jurisdiction. top 10. lated into several languages. Tanvir Ebne Bashar of BangRubio also argued that the ICC Metro Manila. During President Donald I had intended to join the PSF has repeatedly sought authori- ladesh, vice president of InfraTrump’s first term, Colby served summer workshop in 2024 but ty over nationals of the United structure Development Company as deputy assistant secretary of was too busy, and in 2025 I was States and other countries that Limited, was sixth with 55,600 defense for strategy and force in California with my family. In have not ratified the Rome Stat- points. development from 2017 to 2018. May 2026, I finally had the op- ute. He said the administration Kathmandu-based Manav K He helped lead the development portunity to participate. would continue its diplomatic C, an energy adviser at GIZ Neof the 2018 National Defense During the month-long work- campaign against what it views pal, placed seventh with 39,800 Strategy, which emphasized shop, I approached the experi- as ICC overreach and would en- points. China’s military buildup and ence like a high school student courage other governments to Vikas Singh Suhag, a clean-enthe need for greater allied bur- because several participants reconsider their funding and ergy professional based in Riden-sharing. He also served as were secondary-level students, participation. yadh, Saudi Arabia, was eighth the Defense Department’s pri- many of them minors. I delibHe added that the administra- with 33,500 points. mary representative in develop- erately became quieter and less tion was prepared to impose furLusiano Koroiveibau, a meing the 2017 National Security outspoken than usual. As a pro- ther measures if it deemed them chanical engineer from Suva, Strategy. fessor, I am normally strict, dis- necessary to protect U.S. sover- Fiji, placed ninth with 32,600 The PhilStagers’ Encounter points. ciplined, observant and investi- eignty. I began to know the Philip- gative. Arun Kumar of India, strategic 2nd Placer in the ACEF 2026 pine Stagers Foundation in Deadviser for power markets and Advancing the U.S. Cam- Leaderboard cember 2023, when Atty. Vince paign to Address the Threat I was happy to place second technology innovation at Asia M. Tañada invited me to spend Posed by the ICC in the Asia Clean Energy Forum Research and Engagement in New Year’s Eve at his home and U.S. Secretary of State Marco 2026 leaderboard with 133,000 New Delhi, rounded out the top office in Sampaloc, Manila. At Rubio said the Trump adminis- points. It was my first time at- 10 with 31,200 points. the time, I was with the Office of tration considers the Internation- tending the forum, and I thank *** the President’s Career Executive al Criminal Court “a corrupt and the Asian Development Bank. The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints exService Board, where my former fatally politicized supranational First place went to Augustine pressed by the author do not necessarily reboss, Atty. Maria Anthonette Ve- court” that has, in the adminis- Anthuvan of Singapore, chief flect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board lasco-Allones, was executive di- tration’s view, exceeded its man- trainer at Mediacorp’s Singapore and staff. rector. date and threatened state sover- Media Academy, with 147,200 *** Email: rogelio.medina@asianjournalinc.com Johnrey Rivas, the PSF pres- eignty. points.
foundation as an organization formed in 2012 and currently registered to operate or solicit for charitable purposes in California. Students can apply online at: forms.gle/uZGTdHcNQD5znixz8 Applicants must be signed into a Google account to access and complete the application form. A community notice distributed through the office of state Sen. Christopher Cabaldon also lists the scholarship at $2,500 and the Sept. 1 deadline. The foundation’s announcement says applicants should submit all required materials by the deadline. Students may also access the application by scanning the QR code included in the scholarship flyer. The $2,500 award and Sept. 1 deadline are consistent with other 2026 community notices promoting the foundation scholarship.
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026
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LIFESTYLE • CONSUMER GUIDE • COMMUNITY • MARKETPLACE
Lea Salonga joins Disney Princess performers for Anaheim concert Filipino Tony winner performs “A Whole New World” with Brandy and “Reflection” in a gathering spanning generations of Disney performers by AJPress ANAHEIM, Calif. — Lea Salonga joined performers associated with several generations of Disney Princess films and productions in an Aug. 13 concert at Disney California Adventure Park. The Filipino singer and actress appeared in “Disney Princess: The Ultimate Concert Celebration,” held during D23 Day at Disneyland Resort ahead of the Aug. 14 to 16 D23 convention at the Anaheim Convention Center. Salonga performed “A Whole New World” from Aladdin with Brandy, who portrayed Cinderella in the 1997 television production of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. She also sang “Reflection,” which she originally performed as Mulan in Disney’s 1998 animated film. The concert returned Salonga to the two Disney roles most closely associated with her recording career. She provided the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in the 1992 animated Aladdin and of Mulan in the 1998 film. Disney named her a Disney Legend in 2011. Salonga also reunited with Ming-Na Wen, who provided Mulan’s speaking voice. Wen shared photographs from the gathering featuring Salonga and other Disney performers. Disney described the concert as its largest gathering of Disney Princess talent, with a lineup that included Brandy, Paige O’Hara, Jodi Benson,
‘Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon’ examines estrangement and the responsibility of confronting pain before it reaches another generation by AJPress
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quired. Its emphasis, he said, is on communication and bringing unresolved wounds into the open, leaving viewers to draw their own conclusions. Isidro similarly described healing and forgiveness as “inner work.” Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon began streaming on Netflix on Aug. 13.
Korina Sanchez leaves door open to politics; says Mar Roxas not eyeing 2028 run Veteran broadcaster says she has long considered public office but has not declared a candidacy by AJPress VETERAN broadcast journalist Korina Sanchez-Roxas has left open the possibility of entering politics, saying she has considered public office for years while describing her husband, former senator and presidential candidate Mar Roxas, as uninterested in another electoral run in 2028. Sanchez said people around her have encouraged her to run, but she has not identified an office she might seek, set a timetable for a decision or announced preparations for a campaign. Interest in a possible candidacy has grown after Sanchez was included in a recent Pulse Asia survey testing voter preferences for the 2028 Senate race. She received 10 percent support in the survey, conducted from June 28 to July 6. Inclusion in such a poll does not indicate that a person is a candidate. Roxas’ name has also resurfaced in political discussions after Caloocan Rep. Edgar Erice publicly urged him earlier this year to seek the presidency again in 2028. Sanchez said Roxas is no longer interested in another presidential campaign but remains open to public service if an appropriate opportunity arises. She also said she was aware of offers for him to return to government, without identifying the positions or who had extended them. Roxas served in the Senate and held Cabinet posts, including secretary of trade and industry,
Actress-host responds to months of online concern and urges regular checkups without disclosing a diagnosis by AJPress
MANILA — Anne Curtis has reassured supporters that she is doing well while choosing to keep details of her health private, following months of online concern over what some viewers described as swelling on her neck. Curtis addressed the issue during an Aug. 15 contract-signing event for Zion Philippines, where reporters asked about fans’ health concerns. “It’s not something I’d like to talk about,” Curtis said, adding that she preferred to keep what she is going through private. Her message to concerned supporters was simple: “Just know that I’m okay.” Curtis did not identify an illness or disclose a diagnosis. Although speculation about the apparent swelling has circulated online, no specific medical condition has been confirmed by Curtis. The discussion dates to February, when photos from a Feb. 1 appearance on “ASAP” prompted comments from viewers who said they noticed Lea Salonga with Ming-Na Wen Photo from Instagram/@mingna_wen swelling on her neck. Curtis did not publicly address the speculation at the time. Halle Bailey, Auli’i Cravalho, Judy Kuhn and Anika In her latest remarks, the actress and “It’s ShowNoni Rose. time” host shifted the focus to preventive care. The concert was later released on Disney+ and She said she undergoes annual health checkups YouTube as part of World Princess Week. and began having comprehensive examinations Salonga won the 1991 Tony Award for her per- while still in her 30s. formance as Kim in Miss Saigon, before her work on Aladdin and Mulan broadened her international audience.
Jodi Sta. Maria reflects on family wounds, forgiveness in new Netflix film
MANILA — Jodi Sta. Maria says unresolved family wounds should not become an inheritance. The actress, discussing the Netflix film Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon, said people who carry pain from the past have a responsibility to confront it rather than pass its effects to their children or others close to them. “Healing is our responsibility,” Sta. Maria said during a Netflix Philippines media launch, describing the need to recognize personal wounds and prevent them from reaching another generation. Sta. Maria stars as Joanne, or Jo, a television writer whose life is disrupted when her estranged mother, Paz, played by Agot Isidro, returns after 27 years. Netflix describes the reunion as bringing a secret that changes Jo’s life. Gardo Versoza, Ruby Ruiz, Gabriel Lazaro, RK Bagatsing, Mitch Valdez and Angel Aquino are also in the cast. Directed and co-written by Cholo H. Laurel, the film examines estrangement, forgiveness and tensions within Filipino families. Sta. Maria said playing Jo led her to consider how unresolved hurt can shape relationships. Forgiveness, she said, does not require immediately dismissing pain. She first acknowledges feelings such as hurt, betrayal or disappointment before making the decision to forgive. Laurel has stressed that the film does not tell audiences that reconciliation or forgiveness is re-
Anne Curtis says she is ‘okay,’ keeps health details private
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Curtis urged people to be attentive to changes in their bodies and to regard regular medical checkups as part of maintaining their health as they age. The actress, who remains active in television, film and endorsements, offered no further details. Her public message was deliberately restrained: she is doing well, but the circumstances surrounding her health are something she intends to keep private.
John Prats, Heart Evangelista confirm new reunion project after two decades Former early-2000s onscreen partners are developing a project for longtime followers by AJPress
MANILA — John Prats and Heart Evangelista are working together on a new project more than two decades after becoming one of Philippine television’s recognizable young pairings of the early 2000s. The actor-director and Evangelista have separately confirmed the collaboration, although neither has disclosed whether it will be a film, television series or another type of production. Prats said discussions were underway but key details had yet to be finalized. Cornerstone Studios, the film and television division of Prats’ management company, also released a teaser carrying the tag #JoHeart. Their reunion follows several appearances together this year. Prats appeared on Evangelista’s Heart World in May, where they discussed their early careers, former relationship and years apart. They later appeared in TJ Monterde’s “Teka Lang” music video and other fashion and social-media projects. Their onscreen partnership included G-mik, Trip, Berks and the 2003 film My First Romance. Both have publicly described each other as their first loves. Evangelista said during her Aug. 11 contract renewal with Sparkle GMA Artist Center that reconnecting with Prats had been “healing” and that the project was being developed with longtime supporters in mind. The collaboration does not necessarily signal a broader acting comeback for Prats. In January,
Photo from Instagram/@iamhearte
he said he was satisfied concentrating on directing, which has included television productions and concerts for artists such as KZ Tandingan, TJ Monterde, Moira Dela Torre and Yeng Constantino. Prats said he hoped the reunion project could be completed within the year.
Aiko Melendez, Ogie Diaz end management partnership, remain friends
Actress and Quezon City councilor says there was no feud as longtime professional relationship closes by AJPress
Photo from Instagram/@korina
transportation and communications, and the interior and local government. He was the Liberal Party’s presidential candidate in 2016 and later ran for the Senate in 2019. Sanchez remains active in broadcasting as an anchor of Bilyonaryo News Channel’s Agenda and in television news and public-affairs programming. Neither Sanchez nor Roxas has launched a campaign for the 2028 elections.
MANILA — Actress and Quezon City Councilor Aiko Melendez and talent manager Ogie Diaz have ended their management partnership, with both saying the professional separation did not end their friendship. Melendez announced the change on social media, saying they had decided to pursue different professional directions. She thanked Diaz for their years of working together and later dismissed speculation of a falling-out, saying they remained on good terms. Diaz separately described the separation as amicable. He said Melendez told him she wanted to devote greater attention to politics and to the direction she planned to take in her public and personal life. Diaz said his management responsibilities covered Melendez’s entertainment career, not her political work. He also acknowledged that their differing political views may have figured in the decision, while stressing that they continued to respect each other. Their working relationship predated the written agreement they signed in 2023. Melendez said that by March of that year, Diaz had already been managing her for nearly a year without a formal contract. They signed a management agreement on March 13, 2023.
Photo from Instagram/@ogie_diaz
Melendez continues to work in entertainment while serving as a Quezon City councilor representing the 5th District, after winning another term in the May 2025 elections. Diaz said he would remain available if Melendez sought his advice. Melendez, meanwhile, said she had recommended another prospective talent to him after their split, underscoring both sides’ account that the professional separation had not become a personal break.
12 AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
Joey Albert marks 45 years in music The veteran OPM singer reflects on a career shaped by enduring ballads, family choices, life in Canada and survival through serious illness. by AJPress Joey Albert is marking 45 years in Philippine music, a milestone spanning the rise of her best-known ballads in the 1980s, a move to Canada, repeated battles with cancer and decades of performing for Filipino audiences at home and abroad. Albert began performing professionally in the early 1980s and gained wider recognition after winning the Dream Girl Filipina competition in 1982. The victory became a turning point in a recording career that would make her one of the recognizable voices of her generation. By the middle of the decade, Albert had become closely associated with songs including “Tell Me,” “A Million Miles Away,” “I Remember the Boy,” “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin,” “Memories” and “Points of View,” her duet with Pops Fernandez. Many remained part of her performing repertoire long after their original release. In a July interview on GMA’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” Albert described 1985 as a defining period in her career, when her recording work was gaining momentum and she mounted her “Larger Than Life” concert at ULTRA in Metro Manila.
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Her career eventually took a different course when she moved to Canada with her husband and children. Albert has said family considerations drove the decision, even as leaving an established career and relatives in the Philippines proved difficult. She continued performing while building a life outside the entertainment industry, including work in early-childhood education. Over the years, she remained active before Filipino communities in North America and continued returning to the Philippines for performances. Albert’s career also endured through serious health challenges. Published accounts document her treatment for cervical cancer in the 1990s, colon cancer in the following decade and a recurrence that required surgery in 2015. Albert has said
her family has Lynch syndrome, an inherited condition associated with increased risks of several cancers. She has spoken publicly about how those experiences changed her priorities, placing greater emphasis on family, faith and how she chose to spend her time. Albert marked her 40th year in music in 2021 with the digital concert “Life Begins @ 40,” presented during a period when live entertainment remained constrained by the pandemic. Five years later, she returned to a live Manila audience for “FORTYfied: Joey Albert 45” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in April. A repeat performance followed in July. Both shows sold out. The concerts provided one marker of the anniversary, but the larger milestone lies in the continuity of Albert’s career. Forty-five years after she entered the industry, she continues to perform songs first associated with an earlier era of OPM while maintaining a professional life that has long unfolded between the Philippines and Canada. The circumstances around that career have changed considerably since the 1980s. The music that established Albert’s name, however, remains at the center of her work.
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Derek Ramsay says he will cooperate in LTO probe over Porsche plate
Agency says another person was driving the vehicle, which remains registered in actor’s name, as investigators examine circumstances behind plate mismatch by AJPress MANILA — Actor Derek Ramsay said he will cooperate with the Land Transportation Office as it investigates a Porsche 918 Spyder registered in his name that was found displaying a plate number different from the one assigned to the vehicle in LTO records. The LTO said Ramsay was not driving the Porsche when it was flagged. A businessman was behind the wheel, according to the agency’s initial findings. Investigators are also examining whether Ramsay had sold the vehicle before the incident, although the transfer of ownership had not been completed in LTO records. Because Ramsay remains the registered owner, he and the driver were directed to appear
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before the LTO’s Intelligence and Investigation Division on Aug. 24. The agency said Ramsay may present a deed of sale or other documents establishing whether ownership had already changed hands.
LTO verification showed that the alphanumeric combination displayed on the Porsche did not match its officially assigned plate number. The vehicle was placed under alarm status and ordered impounded while the inquiry proceeds. Ramsay said in an Instagram Story on Aug. 16 that he does not drive vehicles with fake plates and that his vehicles have proper plates. He said he would cooperate and appear when requested. LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus V. Lacanilao said investigators will determine the circumstances surrounding the vehicle’s ownership, use and plate. The agency has not announced a final finding holding Ramsay responsible for the plate discrepancy.
Miss Universe dispute deepens as rival groups contest corporate authority Competing statements challenge leadership and official communications as separate arbitration leaves ownership questions unresolved
A dispute over control of the by AJPress Miss Universe Organization has moved into public view, with corporate authority and the pagrival groups issuing conflict- eant’s official communications ing statements over leadership, channels. On Aug. 14, a notice issued in the name of JKN Universe LLC and signed by Chief Financial Officer Carlos Guillermo Martínez said missuniverse. com and related social media accounts were operating without authorization from the management group behind the notice. It directed partners to missuniverseorg.com, identified Raúl Rocha Cantú as president and challenged the authority of Monil Hathi, Pavan Misra and Thai pageant executive Nawat Itsaragrisil. Those assertions remain disputed and have not been established by a final court ruling. A statement posted Aug. 15 on missuniverse.com presented a different account. It identified Hathi as managing director, Misra as director of broadcast and sales, and Nawat as chief executive of Miss Universe Eastern. It also maintained that the organization operates under a 50-50 ownership structure and that missuniverse.com remains its official institutional channel. Earlier notices on the site had
announced Nawat’s appointment and listed the executives in operational roles. Parts of the ownership history are documented independently. Thailand’s Securities and Exchange Commission said JKN, through a subsidiary, sold 50 percent of JKN Legacy Inc. to Legacy Holding Group USA under an agreement signed in October 2023. A later transaction involving Rocha’s interest is under arbitration. In a March 20 decision, the Delaware Court of Chancery described a $25 million agreement under which Malaysian company Tema Inovasi would acquire Rocha’s shares in Legacy Holding Group USA in two tranches. The court said Tema deposited $9 million for the first tranche, while disputes over implementation continued. The court did not determine ultimate ownership, finding that an emergency arbitrator’s order was interim and that judicial intervention was premature. The competing claims remain unresolved. Regulatory filings and court records clarify portions of Miss Universe’s ownership history but do not establish which group has final authority over the organization.
Alexandra Eala's profile grows as Nike, US Open put Filipina star in spotlight World No. 20 enters New York with expanding visibility on and off the court by AJPress Alexandra Eala heads into the U.S. Open with a profile extending beyond her results on the tennis court, as Nike gives the 21-year-old Filipina prominent placement in its latest tennis apparel marketing and tournament organizers feature her among the players attracting attention in New York. Nike is showcasing Eala on its U.S. retail page for the NikeCourt Slam women’s tennis dress, where she models the Old Royal and White competition outfit. The placement comes as Eala has risen to World No. 20, a career high, and established herself among the leading young players on the women’s tour. Her recent Washington title, the first WTA Tour singles championship won by a Filipino, marked another milestone in that progression, although her emergence this season has been broader than any single tournament result. The U.S. Open is also giving Eala prominent attention ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam. In an official player feature, tournament organizers described her as “one of the biggest attractions at this year’s US Open.” She has also been selected for the Aug. 27 Stars of the Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Nike’s Old Royal/White NikeCourt Slam women’s tennis dress, part of the brand’s current tennis apparel collection ahead of the U.S. Open. Nike is giving Alexandra Eala prominent placement in its U.S. marketing for the competition dress. Photo courtesy of Nike
during Fan Week, joining several other prominent young players. New York already holds an important place in Eala’s career. She won the U.S. Open girls’ singles championship in 2022 and returned three years later to become the first Filipino player in the Open era to win a Grand Slam main-draw singles match. This year, she returns not as a junior champion or emerging prospect, but as a top-20 professional carrying greater expectations into one of the sport’s biggest tournaments.
Promotional artwork for the 2026 Stars of the Open exhibition at Arthur Ashe Stadium during U.S. Open Fan Week. Alexandra Eala is scheduled to participate in the Aug. 27 event alongside several of tennis’ leading young players. Photo courtesy of U.S. Open/USTA
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LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL • AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 13
She's not just ‘Lumpia Queen’: Abi Marquez proves she can wear many hats outside of food content by Melanie Uson Philstar.com
OVER the years, foodie content creator Abi Marquez has dominated our screens with her creative recipes, earning her the moniker “Lumpia Queen.” Her culinary style has reached a wider audience, sparking collaborations with industry giants, including Gordon Ramsay, military veteran Chef Andre Rush, teenage chef Kian Hiatt, and Nigel Ng (a.k.a. Uncle Roger). This genuine passion has also received awards and recognition from prestigious institutions, including The Webby Awards, James Beard Awards, and International Business Awards. While studying Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management at UP Diliman, Abi’s life shifted unexpectedly. Her simple five-ingredient tuna pasta shot her to viral fame before she even graduated college. Speaking with PhilSTAR L!fe, she shared that content creation started purely out of curiosity. "Nagsimula siya trip ko lang talaga eh. Parang December 2021, nag-try akong gumamit ng TikTok. Pinag-aaralan ko yung record function… tapos sobrang na-fascinate ako dun." "Sabi ko, 'Ooh, dopamine... Shucks, gawin ko kaya ulit?' she recalled. Recognizing the potential to craft viral-worthy videos consistently, she nerded out on the process. The 26-yearold soon found deep fulfillment in reaching a wide audience, and as monetary opportunities rolled in, she confidently turned her passion into a full-time career upon graduation. For the first two and a half years, Abi was a one-woman team. She conceptualized, made a storyboard, bought ingredients, filmed (sometimes at 3 a.m. when her house was quiet), edited, and posted two to three videos a week. That very first viral pasta video also shaped her creative approach, particularly her use of hooks and snappy pacing based on what she herself would want to watch. As her work grew, she started delegating tasks, particularly
administrative work, partnerships, ingredient sourcing, filming, and editing. However, she still writes her own outlines and oversees the creative direction, and serves as the final quality check to ensure every video authentically feels like her own. The other hats of Abi Marquez Abi’s creative spirit refuses to be boxed into just the kitchen. A passionate singer, she was part of a high school band and runs a dedicated YouTube channel, Abi Sings, for song covers. She also had the opportunity to do a Christmas duet with Christian Bautista for Let Love Be The Gift in 2025, a rendition of a Jose Mari Chan Christmas song. Though she plays instruments less frequently now, karaoke sessions with her team keep her musical side alive. Abi’s creative pursuits don’t stop at singing—she also spent years dancing. Formerly a competitive hip-hop dancer who have helped her high school dance troupe compete and win at national competitions, Abi would spend nights learning choreography from K-pop groups like EXO and BTS. While dancing was once a serious pursuit for Abi, she now sees it more as another “party trick”—something she does for fun. To unplug from work, she dives into video games, reads, binges cooking shows and YouTube videos, and even learning about stocks and trading. Abi is also navigating the challenge of balancing her personal life with the demands of content creation. “[My] focus is finding a balance between adulting, like my personal stuff, adulting, and content. Health also. Because nakakapagod rin siya eh. I mean, I'm really open about it, but I get burnt out. I had a lot of bad burnouts in the past years," she told L!fe. She also acknowledges that having more control over her career means learning how to manage that balance herself. “Whatever is happening is in my hands. I'm just finding the
Fil-Am Andre Ilagan earns US Open qualifying wild card after career-best run Hawaii-born son of Filipino immigrants reaches career-high ranking after consecutive Challenger finals by AJPress NEW YORK — Filipino American Andre Ilagan has earned a wild card into the US Open men’s qualifying tournament, giving the Hawaii-born professional the biggest Grand Slam opportunity of his career after a sharp rise through the ATP Challenger circuit. Ilagan, 25, was ranked a career-high No. 210 when the U.S. Tennis Association announced the qualifying wild cards. He will need to win three matches in the 128-player qualifying tournament to secure one of 16 available places in the men’s singles main draw. US Open qualifying is scheduled for Aug. 24 through 27 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The invitation follows the strongest stretch of Ilagan’s professional career. He reached consecutive ATP Challenger finals this month, finishing runner-up in Lexington, Kentucky, before advancing to another championship match in Brownsburg, Indiana. Former world No. 31 Lloyd Harris defeated him 6-2, 7-6(6) in the Brownsburg final. The USTA also identified Ilagan as the runner-up in its US Open Wild Card Challenge, a competition that rewards American players based on results at designated hard-court tournaments leading into the Grand Slam. For Ilagan, the US Open opportunity marks another step in a career built largely outside the sport’s most visible tournaments. Born and raised in Honolulu, Ilagan is the son of Filipino immigrants with roots in General Santos City. He attended Farrington High School, where he won two Hawaii state singles championships, before becoming one of the most accomplished players in University of Hawai‘i men’s tennis history. The university said Ilagan will become the first former player from its men’s tennis program to compete at the US Open. During his collegiate career, Ilagan became Hawai‘i’s first Intercollegiate Tennis Association
All-American. He also qualified for consecutive NCAA singles championships and earned Big West Player of the Year honors. He completed his college career in 2023 and moved into professional tennis, initially competing extensively on the ITF circuit before establishing himself at the ATP Challenger level, the tier immediately below the main ATP Tour. His rise has accelerated in 2026 as deeper tournament runs produced both ranking points and opportunities against more experienced players. The US Open wild card does not place Ilagan directly into the main draw. Qualifying is a separate tournament involving players seeking the final available positions in the 128-player men’s singles field. That distinction is significant as Ilagan approaches his first appearance at Flushing Meadows. A successful three-match qualifying run would give him his first Grand Slam main-draw berth. His participation also gives Filipino American tennis another presence at one of the sport’s four major tournaments. Ilagan competes internationally for the United States but has spoken publicly about his Filipino family background and upbringing in Hawaii. His path differs from players who enter Grand Slams through established rankings or direct main-draw wild cards. Ilagan has spent the years since college accumulating points across lower-level professional tournaments, gradually moving into Challenger events and improving his ATP position. The back-to-back finals this month represent his clearest evidence yet of progress at that level. Ilagan’s first qualifying opponent will be determined by the US Open qualifying draw.
right balance to still do content while tending to personal stuff. Parang ganoon," she added. Life after going viral Fame has also allowed Abi to experience things that were once out of reach for her and her family. Traveling has become a major part of her life— not only to learn more about food, but also to experience places she could not afford growing up. She reflected that while she traveled internationally at 22, her parents only got to do so around age 50 after spending decades supporting their children. Now, bringing them on trips has become one of the ways she gives back for their sacrifices. Her career has also allowed her to take on a bigger role in supporting her family. She pays for her sister’s dorm, buys groceries for her parents, and treats them to trips. While she is hesitant to call herself a breadwinner, she admits she takes care of the “extra stuff.” Being able to provide these things, she says, is meaningful because they were once beyond what her family could afford. Despite maintaining a consistent online presence, Abi admitted she experiences burnout once or twice a year. "Yung burnout, parang every year meron eh," she told L!fe. "I was made to believe na yung
Abi Marquez was the Food Creator of the Year at the World Influencers and Bloggers Awards Awards during the 2025 Abi Marquez was hailed Content Creator of the Year at the Platinum Stallion National Media @abigailfmarquez / Instagram Cannes Film Festival. @abigailfmarquez / Instagram Awards 2025.
mga projects na yan, hindi yan forever. So kapag dumating yan, tanggap ka lang ng tanggap. To the point na I accepted projects even though I know that I'm gonna be spread thin or I would have to sacrifice health, sleep, time with family." Looking back, she realized how easily work could consume the time and energy she needed to recharge. Over time, she has learned the hard lesson to be more careful about who she trusts. Now, she is more mindful of setting boundaries and speaking up for herself. "[Projects are] not everything. Like you still need to protect yourself or something like that. Kasi, I mean, as long as you're making something valuable at pinapanood ng mga tao, hindi naman mawawala yung projects," she added.
Taking on a new role Embracing her evolving identity, Abi is putting on a new hat as she joins L!fe's Generations podcast as the resident Gen Z host. “Gen Z ako, but nandun ako sa cusp of Gen Z,” she says, having been born in the 2000s and growing up with a mix of Gen Z and millennial experiences. She believes this allows her to relate to both generations, while bringing a perspective shaped by her age, background in food and content creation, and experience as a creative. Looking ahead, Abi envisions building a studio that does not necessarily depend on her being in front of the camera. “Na-imagine kong future ko is to have a studio that doesn't necessarily need my face.” With her background in marketing and video production, she
hopes to explore filmmaking and other creative work beyond food content. “I have so many thoughts," she said. "Minsan gusto ko [gumawa] ng horror movie, gusto ko [gumawa ng] music video... daming nangyayari. So feeling ko to stay creatively fulfilled, hindi man maging proper company or career, I would want to explore more filmmaking. Wala akong pangarap sa singing eh. Kasi parang nahanap ko na yung purpose ko sa food and content creation," she added. Abi Marquez is hosting the third season of Generations—a conversation about how different age groups see the world and why it matters—along with veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes and content creator Raco Ruiz. Catch it on YouTube and Spotify starting Aug. 19.
14 AUGUST 22 - 28, 2026 • LOS ANGELES ASIAN JOURNAL
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Sponsored by JPMorganChase
A playbook for building businesses in Los Angeles J
.P. Morgan’s Commercial Banking team brought entrepreneurs and business leaders together in Los Angeles for its Business Leaders Symposium. The event is built around a simple idea: businesses need direct access to insight, capital, and community, wherever they’re headquartered. Keynoting the event was three-time Olympic short track speedskater Apolo Ohno, who is now an entrepreneur and investor. The conversation landed at an apt moment. As the Official Bank of Team USA and the LA28 Olympics & Paralympic Games (LA28 Games), and a Founding Partner of the LA28 Games, JPMorganChase continues to expand its support for businesses across Los Angeles ahead of 2028, when the city will host the world. “I think LA has everything. You look at geographic location, all the different cultures and subcultures that exist... you’ve got the local business community, which is vast and deep,” said Ohno. He pointed to the sprawl beyond downtown’s skyscrapers and law firms: industrial real estate, manufacturing, cold storage; evidence of a city too often reduced to its most visible slice. One challenge Ohno warned about is how specific pockets of cities often benefit from major events, like World Cup matches or the Olympic and Paralympic Games. However, Los Angelos is a vast city with a diverse business community. It’s essential for businesses in outer pockets of the city to prepare early so they can benefit from the tourism boom of the LA28 Games.
Apolo Ohno
Three-time Olympic short track speedskater, Entrepreneur, Investor
“Uncertainty is now permanent,” he told the room. “I look for durability.” Before investing in a business, Ohno asks, “Does this business have the ability to manage chaos or be able to do a hard pivot?” It’s a framework that applies as much to a business owner navigating rising costs in LA as it does to a founder raising capital. Understanding risks and opportunities – from geopolitics to economic forecasts is significant pressure on midsize business owners who are working to run and operate a business day-to-day. Working with a partner to provide outside expertise and support planning strategies is essential. He drew a direct line to his athletic career. “In short track, if you’re hesitant, sometimes you lose the opportunity,” he said. For business owners weighing when to expand, hire, or hold steady, it’s a reminder that inaction is itself a decision, one that requires the same read on timing and risk he once relied on to navigate a pack of skaters at full speed. He suggests leaders ask themselves, “Why is this your Olympics, and why do you believe your business can win gold?” As the LA28 Games approach, J.P. Morgan’s Commercial Banking team supports businesses across Los Angeles to prepare for all opportunities and challenges ahead. “There’s so much untapped resource and talent in all things in business,” he said. Helping LA’s business community find those resources is the work now underway. Photo credit: Andrew Ge