Trump proclamation imposes $100,000 fee on H-1B visas
A new White House order requires employers to pay $100,000 for certain H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025, with exemptions for current visa holders inside the United States
WAshiNGtoN, D.c. - President Donald trump signed a proclamation on september 19, 2025 imposing a $100,000 fee on employers sponsoring new h-1B workers from abroad. the order, titled “restriction on entry of certain Nonimmigrant Workers,” took effect at 12:01 a.m. eastern time on september 21 and is scheduled to last for 12 months unless extended.
The proclamation and its rationale the White house said the policy responds to what it calls widespread abuse of the h-1B visa system. According to the proclamation, the visa was originally designed to bring in highly skilled temporary workers but has instead been used by outsourcing firms to re-
‘If we lose information integrity, we lose everything,’ Ressa warns at the Clinton Global Initiative’s 20th anniversary Nobel laureate Maria Ressa warns about ‘information Armageddon’
NeW YorK – Nobel Peace laureate maria ressa issued a stark warning about the future of democracy and truth in the digital age during the 20th anniversary of the clinton Global initiative (cGi) at the New York hilton midtown on tuesday, september 23. It is the mother of all battles,” ressa said of the fight for information integrity. “If we lose that, we lose everything. in a conversation on stage with former U.s secretary of state hillary clinton and Barbados Prime minister mia Amor mottley at the cGi’s opening plenary, ressa, co-founder and ceo of rappler, warned about the proliferation of disinformation and its immense costs.
Testimonies pile up as flood-control scandal implicates senators, ex-lawmakers
by AJPress
Palace keeps distance as ICC case against Duterte is postponed
by AJPress
mANiLA — malacañang on Wednesday, september 24, reiterated that it has “no reaction” to the international criminal court’s (icc) charges against former President rodrigo roa Duterte, emphasizing that the Philippine government is not part of the proceedings. Palace Press officer claire castro said the marcos administration has nothing to do with the case. “No reaction. The Philippine government has nothing to do with the inves-
mANiLA — Ako Bicol Party-list rep. elizaldy “Zaldy” co has rejected accusations that he benefitted from illicit payments tied to Department of Public Works and highways (DPWh) flood-control projects and has pledged to return to the Philippines to face investigations as they intensify. in a letter to house speaker faustino “Bojie” Dy V, co complained that his travel clearance was revoked while he was abroad for medical treatment. he described the move as prejudgment that denied him due process. he asked that his return
tigation, with the hearing or the proceedings before the ICC,” she told reporters, adding in filipino that if the icc decision turns out to be “good news” for the Dutertes, the marcos Jr. government would accept it. ICC charges made public the icc released a public-redacted Document containing the charges on september 22, confirming three counts of murder as crimes against humanity tied to Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. the charges cover at least 76 victimsbetween 2013 and
mANiLA – Baguio city mayor Benjamin magalong has resigned as special adviser to the independent commission for infrastructure (ici). in a letter addressed to President ferdinand marcos Jr. on friday, september 26, he said, The Palace’s pronouncements concerning my designation, which run contrary to the terms of my appointment, have undermined the role and mandate entrusted to me .” “ Combined with circumstances that already cast doubt on the independence of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure, it has become clear that my continued service is no
longer tenable, ” he also said. magalong also maintained that he has not neglected, nor will he ever neglect, his main responsibility to the people of Baguio, “ whose welfare and interests remain at the core of my public service .” the resignation stemmed from marcos’ order for a review of magalong’s role in the ici to determine whether the latter has any conflict of interest in the super body.
Undersecretary claire castro, Palace press officer, said at a briefing earlier in the day: “ The president said that his case will be referred to the legal team to determine where he may be included, or where he should be properly inserted, so that the
Five key personalities in the P545-B flood-control scandal are now under DOJ protection as “protected witnesses,” while investigators pursue asset freezes and Malacañang orders the recovery of stolen funds
mANiLA the Department of Justice confirmed
Jessica Sanchez is AGT Season 20 champion
Nearly two decades after first competing on AGT and finishing as runner-up on American Idol, Jessica Sanchez completes a full circle journey with her Season 20 victory
by AJPress
Los ANGeLes Jessica elizabeth sanchez, 30, is an American singer of filipino and mexican descent who has lived much of her life on the public stage. she is best known as the runner-up of American idol season 11 in 2012,
Jessica Sanchez
Photo from Facebook/@agt
that contractors Pacifico “curlee” Discaya and cezarah rowena “sarah” Discaya, along with former Department of Public Works and highways officials henry c. Alcantara, Brice ericson P. hernandez, and Jaypee mendoza, have been granted protected witness status in the widening flood-control corruption probe. Justice secretary Jesus crispin remulla said the des-
Testimonies pile up as flood...
PAGE A1
being vetted for possible state witness status.
“Ako po ay umaamin sa aking mali nagawa… Taos puso akong humihingi ng kapatawaran,” Bernardo declared, saying he hoped his confession would help uncover the truth.
Engineers’ accounts
Bernardo’s admission follows earlier testimony by former DPWh engineers Brice ericson hernandez and Jaypee mendoza, who told congressional hearings that senators Jinggoy estrada and Joel Villanueva received as much as 30 percent in kickbacks from projects in Bulacan. they claimed contracts in malolos and hagonoy were padded to accommodate commissions.
Dismissed DPWh Bulacan engineer henry Alcantara later corroborated elements of their accounts, acknowledging he collected illicit payments on behalf of legislators and contractors. in his affidavit, Alcantara described supposed “budget insertions” and project conversions allegedly linked to estrada, Villanueva, and former senator ramon “Bong” revilla Jr. he said percentages were pre-arranged, with shares adjusted at higher DPWh levels.
Contractors’ revelations
Beyond engineers, contractors have also stepped forward. sarah and Pacifico Discaya, a husband-and-wife team who handled multiple flood-control contracts, testified before the senate Blue ribbon committee that at least 17 house members demanded 25 percent kickbacks. they described a culture where commissions were standard practice and claimed they kept records of transactions. their statements rattled the chamber, though they withheld detailed documentation in public.
Money deliveries the scandal widened further when orly regala Guteza, a former security aide to rep. Zaldy co, testified that he personally delivered bags of cash - sometimes referred to in code as “basura” (trash) - to then-speaker martin romualdez’sresidence, as well as to co’s residence in Pasig. Guteza alleged the cash came from project kickbacks funneled through co’s office. Both romualdez and co have denied the allegations,
calling them fabrications.
More names implicated Bernardo’s affidavit also drew in senator francis “chiz” escudero, senator Nancy Binay, and former senator ramon “Bong” revilla Jr., adding to the roster of high-profile figures linked to the alleged scheme.
escudero quickly dismissed the claims as a well-orchestrated plan” to discredit the senate, insisting that Bernardo never approached him directly about project funds. Binay, for her part, said she was “shocked” to be implicated, stressing that she had been focused on her current local government duties and firmly denied any involvement in kickback schemes. revilla, through his lawyers, likewise rejected any suggestion of involvement, stressing that his name was being unfairly dragged into the controversy.
Legislative scrutiny senator Panfilo Lacson, in a privilege speech titled “flooded Gates of corruption,” accused insiders of siphoning vast sums from flood-control allocations. he pointed to Bulacan as a hotspot for “ghost projects,” claiming that only 30 to 40 percent of funds were spent on actual works. the commission on Audit (coA) has since ordered a special fraud audit of flood-control projects, with chair Gamaliel cordoba confirming early findings of incomplete and substandard works despite reports of full disbursement. Charges, denials, and legal process the National Bureau of investigation (NBi) has recommended criminal cases against senators estrada and Villanueva, rep. co,
Bernardo, and Alcantara for bribery and malversation of public funds. those implicated have categorically denied wrongdoing. estrada branded the charges “big lies” and challenged accusers to take a polygraph. Villanueva said he would fight the accusations in the proper forum. co insisted he never benefited from anomalous projects, while romualdez stressed the testimonies against him were part of a smear campaign. escudero, Binay, and revilla have each issued statements rejecting any suggestion of involvement.
Justice secretary Jesus crispin remulla clarified that while Bernardo is under protective custody, he has not yet been discharged as a state witness. Under Philippine law, a protected witness is shielded while testimony is assessed; only a state witness, formally discharged by a court, is exempt from prosecution for the same offense.
A test of accountability the mounting testimonies have placed the marcos administration and congress under intense pressure to demonstrate resolve against entrenched corruption. With multiple affidavits, senate hearings, and an impending coA audit, the scandal is expected to move into the courts. for now, the conflicting narratives - confessions from insiders, corroboration from engineers and contractors, and firm denials from lawmakers - have set the stage for what could become one of the most consequential corruption trials in Philippine history, testing whether accountability can reach even the most powerful figures. n
WITNESS. Former Department of Public Works and Highways undersecretary Roberto Bernardo (carrying brown envelope) and Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla (upper row, center) leave the Department of Justice in Manila on Thursday afternoon, Sept. 25. PNA photo by Yancy Lim
L.A. Convention Center expansion wins final approval, work begins in October
Los ANGeLes — mayor Karen Bass has signed the final approval for the long-planned expansion and modernization of the Los Angeles convention center, clearing the way for construction to start in october. the $2.6-billion project, more than a decade in the making, aims to transform Downtown Los Angeles into a stronger global convention destination. the city council authorized the project on september 19, with key backing from councilmember curren Price, who represents south Los Angeles, and councilmember Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes Downtown and the convention center site. Bass also credited Assemblywoman Wendy elhawary, Assemblymem-
ber miguel Ángel González, and other local leaders for helping shepherd the project through years of planning. the plan will add 190,000 square feet of exhibit space, joining the south and West halls into a contiguous exhibition floor of more than 750,000 square feet. it also includes 39,000 square feet of new meeting rooms and nearly 95,000 square feet of multipurpose space. A team led by PcL construction, Webcor, and global architecture firm Populouswill oversee the build, with infrastructure partner Plenary Group. supporters say the expansion will generate 15,000 jobs and bring in $150 million annually in visitor spending, along with $652
million in General fund revenue over 30 years. critics warn borrowing costs could raise the city’s obligations to nearly $6 billion, requiring strict oversight and careful fiscal management. construction will unfold in phases, with work pausing in 2028 for the olympic and Paralympic Games, where the convention center will serve as a major venue. final completion is expected in may 2029. this convention center expansion is more than a project — it’s a promise kept,” Bass said. it is about jobs, tourism, small-business growth, and showing the world that Los Angeles is a resilient, global city with a bold vision for the future.”
Nobel laureate Maria Ressa warns about...
Without decisive action to fight disinformation, the world is headed towards what ressa has called “an information Armageddon” that would endanger global economic stability, social welfare and sustainable growth.
“This time matters,” ressa said. This is either an information Armageddon or an information apocalypse. And because I’m an optimist, it’s an Armageddon. An information Armageddon means you gotta jump in now because in an apocalypse, the battle’s over. The window is closing, and frankly, what happens in America will affect all of us around the world. ressa, who faced years of politically motivated legal battles in the Philippines for her work in journalism, warned that the erosion of truth through technology and unchecked social media algorithms is directly undermining democratic institutions around the world.
Information integrity
We cannot govern. We cannot have a shared reality. You can’t have civic engagement… If we win that information integrity, then we have a fighting chance,” she said. ressa emphasized the role of technology companies in fueling polarization. she answered clinton’s question about how algorithms profit from disinformation. This is what they’re exploiting. Right? Our biology. And it’s getting significantly worse.” she continued, “Fear, anger, and hate spread the fastest. That’s
why we’re almost full of toxic sludge.” speaking about how journalists and citizens alike must resist normalization of lies, ressa said: “Do not normalize the ridiculous or the lies. Everything will tell you not to do it. In my case, our lawyers told me I was stupid. Like, foolish, Maria, you’re too naive. I’m over 60, so I’m not that naive. But this is the time that will determine who you really are. You don’t know who you are until you were forced to fight for it.”
When the discussion turned to artificial intelligence, ressa urged immediate intervention.
“News organizations, the small and medium ones who die, may die if the trends continue within six to eight months. Guys, you don’t have that much time. So this is the time to act. This is the time to pitch in.” she cited initiatives such as the Vatican’s declaration on Ai ethics and a coalition of scientists calling for clear red lines on Ai development.
The battle for our future is whether or not we retain our humanity,” she said.
Battle for humanity ressa’s warnings struck a chord among cGi participants, many of whom applauded when she concluded: “this is a battle for humanity. Please, do not kill us. this is a battle for humanity.”
Prime minister mottley connected disinformation to erosion of social values, while clinton said the speakers were “really on the forefront of trying to fig-
ure out how to get things done against powerful interests.”
the clinton Global initiative, founded by former President Bill clinton in 2005, marks its 20th anniversary this year. it brings together heads of state, Nobel laureates, ceos, philanthropists and grassroots organizers to forge “commitments to Action” that tackle urgent global challenges, from health crises and poverty alleviation to climate change and democratic governance.
since its founding, cGi reports that its members have launched more than 3,900 commitments, impacting over 435 million people worldwide. this year’s gathering, themed around “What’s Next?” comes, as the organization described, at “a critical juncture” for democracy and sustainability. ressa was featured in the new Working Group on “truth and information,” reflecting cGi’s shift to address head-on the global crisis over misinformation.
ressa has been a consistent presence at cGi, having shared stages with clinton in prior years. her message remains focused on protecting democracy, which requires urgent defense of facts, ethical journalism and transparency in digital platforms.
“This is the time that will determine who you really are,” she told the packed audience tuesday. “If you believe in values, stand for it now, because that’s what’s important.” (Elton Lugay/ Inquirer.net)
Yale offers Filipino language courses for first time
by AJPress
NeW hAVeN, conn. — Yale University has introduced filipino language courses for the first time, a historic step that students and faculty see as expanding cultural representation on campus. this fall, Yale launched elementary filipino i and intermediate filipino i under the council on southeast Asia studies. taught by a newly appointed lector, the courses mark the university’s first structured offering of filipino, also known as tagalog, beyond independent study programs.
the development follows years of advocacy from tagalog@Yale and the filipino student group Kasama, who pushed for formal language instruction. Advocates described the launch as a milestone for filipino American visibility at Yale. Yale now lists filipino alongside indonesian and Vietnamese as part of its southeast Asia language program at the macmillan center. the lector post, advertised last year, covers six courses annually and could eventually expand to advanced offerings in literature, sociolinguistics, and culture.
students say the classes pro-
Magalong resigns from...
independence of the ICI will not be compromised and there will be no violation of any law. ”
Questions about magalong’s role at the ici arose from a tennis court project built by the Discaya-owned st. Gerrard construction company in Ba-
guio city. this P110-million project was awarded in 2022 to st. Gerrard construction company, one of nine firms owned by contractor couple cezarah sarah” and Pacifico “curlee” Discaya, who are both under scrutiny for alleged involve-
vide more than academic credit — they signal recognition of a large and growing global community. many hope the initiative leads to a broader filipino or filipinx studies track in the future, combining history, arts, and cultural studies. for now, the program gives both heritage speakers and non-filipino students a structured way to engage with one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. Whether it grows further will depend on enrollment and sustained demand, but supporters note that the symbolic milestone has already been achieved. n
ment in problematic flood-control projects. furthermore, labor groups also recently called out magalong’s role in the ici, stressing that he cannot wear two hats— as Baguio city mayor and as special adviser to the commission. n
Discayas, ex-DPWH engineers placed under...
ignation entitles the five to security and assistance while their testimonies and documents are vetted. he emphasized that being a protected witness is distinct from being discharged as a state witness, which confers immunity from prosecution and requires a stricter legal process.
Witnesses under DOJ guard Alcantara, the former Bulacan district engineer, appeared at the DoJ on september 23 to affirm his sworn statement that implicated contractors and lawmakers in alleged kickback schemes. he asked for protection and, according to remulla, indicated willingness to return funds as restitution. hernandez and mendoza, both former assistant engineers, were also placed under protection, while the Discaya couple—whose firms won multiple flood-control contracts—were included following weeks of senate testimony.
DoJ said protection arrangements are being set up while authorities evaluate the witnesses’ statements. Discharge as state witnesses remains a separate judicial step that requires proof that the person is not the most
guilty.
Asset freezes and restitution efforts the independent commission for infrastructure (ici), chaired by retired supreme court Justice Andres reyes Jr., has begun receiving surrendered assets. ici adviser Benjamin magalong confirmed that hernandez has turned over a Gmc Denali and is preparing to surrender a Lamborghini. separately, DPWh secretary Vince Dizon asked the Anti-money Laundering council to freeze P474,483,120 worth of luxury vehicles linked to 26 personalities. he also sought the freezing of aircraft assets worth P4.3–P4.7 billion tied to companies associated with Ako Bicol rep. elizaldy “Zaldy” co, citing links to questionable project funds. Legislative and palace responses the house of representatives’ joint “mega panel” has suspended its own inquiry, turning over records to the ici to unify fact-finding. malacañang, for its part, said those seeking protection should return any ill-gotten wealth. of-
ficials added that President ferdinand marcos Jr. has directed agencies to prioritize the recovery of stolen public funds in connection with the scandal.
Allegations and denials
Alcantara’s affidavit alleged that portions of contract funds were delivered to aides of sitting politicians. those named have denied wrongdoing and said they welcome a full investigation. DoJ and the National Bureau of investigation are preparing draft complaints based on the testimonies, which respondents may contest in the proper forum.
Protected witness vs. state witness Under Philippine law, a protected witness receives government security and logistical support but remains criminally liable unless a court formally discharges them as a state witness. to qualify as a state witness, the testimony must be indispensable to the case, and the person must not be the most guilty among the accused. remulla underscored that the government is still in the early stages of assessing applications and evidence. n
Trump proclamation imposes $100,000 fee...
place American employees with lower-wage labor, particularly in the technology sector.
The H-1B nonimmigrant visa program was created to bring temporary workers into the United States to perform additive, highskilled functions, but it has been deliberately exploited to replace, rather than supplement, American workers,” the text states.
the order points to data showing that the number of foreign stem workers doubled between 2000 and 2019 and warns that misuse of the program suppresses wages and could pose national security risks.
Restriction on entry
Under the proclamation, the Departments of homeland security and state must deny entry or visa approval unless an employer has paid the $100,000 fee. the measure also allows for national interest exceptions, giving homeland security discretion to exempt certain individuals, employers, or industries that are considered critical to the U.s economy or security.
“This restriction shall expire, absent extension, 12 months after the effective date of this proclamation, which shall be 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 21, 2025,” the document states.
Who is affected initial confusion led to panic among visa holders, but subsequent clarifications narrowed the scope: the fee applies only to new h-1B petitions filed on or after september 21, 2025.
it applies to candidates outside the United states seeking an h-1B visa for the first time.
existing h-1B holders with valid visas are exempt, including
those already inside the U.s. or traveling abroad. extensions, renewals, and employer transfers within the h-1B category are not subject to the fee.
Uscis confirmed that the fee is a one-time charge, not an annual payment, correcting early confusion from administration officials.
National interest exceptions and wage rules the proclamation also directs the Department of Labor to begin revising prevailing wage levels and orders homeland security to prioritize higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants in the annual h-1B lottery. these changes are intended to reduce reliance on entry-level h-1B workers and to shift opportunities toward advanced degree holders and higher-wage professionals. Legal and policy outlook immigration attorneys and employer groups expect legal challenges questioning whether the president has authority to impose such a steep fee without congressional approval. courts are expected to consider whether the fee constitutes a tax, whether
it complies with administrative law requirements, and how exemptions are applied.
What employers and workers should expect for now, the $100,000 payment remains in place through september 21, 2026 unless renewed. employers hiring h-1B workers from abroad must prepare for the added cost or adjust recruitment strategies. current h-1B workers inside the U.s. are not directly affected, but legal advisers recommend caution on international travel until implementing rules and potential court actions clarify reentry procedures.
What is the H-1B visa? the h-1B is a nonimmigrant visa that allows U.s. employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty occupations requiring advanced theoretical or technical expertise, particularly in information technology, engineering, health care, and higher education. the program has an annual cap of 85,000 new visas, plus 20,000 reserved for U.s advanced degree holders, and demand consistently exceeds supply. (AJPress)
Zaldy Co denies flood-control kickback...
and that of his family be secured and affirmed his intention to answer the charges in the proper forum.
“i categorically deny ever receiving any funds connected to DPWh projects,” he wrote, calling the allegations false, baseless, and politically charged. the speaker’s office said the revocation of co’s clearance was not prejudgment but part of efforts to ensure accountability. Dy has set a deadline of september 29, 2025 for co’s return and assured him that security measures will be coordinated with the proper authorities.
the case drew further controversy after co’s former aide, orly regala Guteza, alleged he delivered suitcases of money marked “basura” to co and then speaker martin romualdez. co denied the claims as fabrications. A lawyer also denied notarizing the document used to support the allegation, saying the signature and notarial details were falsified.
several of co’s former staff members have publicly denied
knowledge of any money deliveries, saying they were not involved in such transactions.
two former personal assistants have also rejected Guteza’s claim that they were part of the alleged deliveries, adding to questions about the consistency of the testimony.
the Department of Justice confirmed that co is covered by an immigration Lookout Bulletin order and is preparing to request an interpol “blue notice” to help monitor his movements abroad. Justice officials said the move is meant to support the house directive for co’s return.
media reports have also claimed that planes and helicopters linked to co through misibis Aviation may have left the country as authorities move to freeze nonbank assets. these reports have not been independently confirmed, and co has not issued a public comment on the matter. the senate is conducting hearings on the P545 billion flood-control program, citing testimonies that tie some lawmakers and contractors to questionable allocations. in the house, co
faces a pending ethics complaint filed by rep. toby tiangco. Attention has also turned to co’s business background. he has long been associated with the sunwest Group of companies, which has handled government construction projects. co has publicly stated that he divested his direct ownership in sunwest when he entered congress in 2019, a claim repeated in several reports. some public descriptions continue to portray him as having residual or beneficial ties, which he disputes. No publicly accessible corporate filing has confirmed or disproved those descriptions. co was first elected to congress in 2019 under the Ako Bicol Party-list. he became chair of the house committee on Appropriations in 2022 and held that post until January 2025. With the deadline for his return approaching, lawmakers and investigators are waiting to see if co will comply and appear before congress. speaker Dy has stressed that due process will be observed as both the house and senate continue their probes.
ABISO NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG CONSORTIUM NG COUNTY NG SAN DIEGO
ESTRATEHIYA NG TAUNANG PLANO PARA SA TAON NG PANANALAPI 2026-27 GAWAD NA SALAPI MULA SA GOBYERNO PARA SA PAGPAPAGANDA NG KOMUNIDAD, MGA PAGTUTULUNGAN SA PAMUMUHUNAN SA TAHANAN, MGA OPORTUNIDAD SA PABAHAY PARA SA MGA TAONG MAY AIDS AT MGA PROGRAMA NG GAWAD NA SALAPI PARA SA MGA PANG-EMERGENCY NA SOLUSYON
sa pamamagitan nito, ibinibigay ang Abiso para sabihin na magsasagawa ang Board of supervisors ng pampublikong pagdinig nang 9:00 a.m. sa Nobyembre 4, 2025, sa room 310 sa county Administration center, 1600 Pacific highway, san Diego, cA tungkol sa estratehiya ng taunang Plano para sa taon ng Pananalapi (fiscal Year, fY) 2026-27.
Bumubuo ang county ng san Diego ng taunang Plano bawat taon para matukoy ang mga partikular na proyektong dapat pondohan sa paparating na taong ng pananalapi, sa pamamagitan ng apat na pederal na mga entitlement program na pinangangasiwaan ng health and human services Agency, housing and community Development services: Gawad na salapi mula sa Gobyerno para sa Pagpapaganda ng Komunidad (community Development Block Grant, cDBG), mga Pagtutulungan sa Pamumuhunan sa tahanan (home), mga oportunidad sa Pabahay para sa mga taong may AiDs (housing opportunities for Persons with AiDs hoPWA), at mga Programa ng Gawad na salapi para sa mga Pang-emergency na solusyon (emergency solutions Grant, esG). tutulong ang estratehiya ng taunang Plano na gabayan ang pagbuo ng taunang Plano. Pinopondohan ng mga Programang cDBG at esG ang pabahay at mga aktibidad sa pagpapaunlad ng komunidad sa Lungsod na bahagi ng county na binubuo ng unicorporated na lugar at anim na kalahok na lungsod (coronado, Del mar, imperial Beach, Lemon Grove, Poway, at solana Beach). Ang Programang home ay pinopondohan ang mga aktibidad sa pabahay sa hurisdiksyon ng home consortium na kinabibilangan ng Lungsod na bahagi ng county, pati ng anim na lungsod sa consortium (carlsbad, encinitas, La mesa, san marcos, santee, at Vista). Pinaglilingkuran ng Programang hoPWA ang buong rehiyon ng san Diego county. Dapat kumpletuhin ang taunang Plano ng fY 2026-27 bawat taon para sa mga programang cDBG, home hoPWA, at esG ng county. Bago ang pagbuo ng taunang Plano, binabalangkas ng county ang estratehiya ng taunang Plano na tinutukoy ang mga prayoridad ng pagpopondo at mga proseso para sa paparating na taon. Ang balangkas ng kasalukuyang estratehiya ng taunang Plano ay maaaring matingnan sa elektronikong paraan sa website ng housing and community Development services: www.sdhcd.org. inaanyayahan ang publiko na dumalo ng pampublikong pandinig para magkomento tungkol sa estratehiya ng taunang Plano, at para makuha ang mga pananaw ng mga mamamayan sa mga pangangailangan sa pabahay at pagpapaunlad ng komunidad bago ang paghahanda ng taunang Plano para sa fY 2026-27. maaari ring magbigay ang publiko ng mga komento sa pamamagitan ng sulat sa 30 araw na panahon ng pagkokomento na matatapos sa Nobyembre 4, 2025. Ang mga nakasulat na komento ay dapat ipadala sa housing and community Development services, community Development Division, 3989 ruffin road, san Diego, cA 92123, 858-694-8756, o sa pamamagitan ng email sa community. Development@sdcounty.ca.gov. Ang mga bingi o may mahinang pandinig ay maaaring kontakin ang departamento sa (866) 945-2207. Ang mga kailangan ng tulong para lumahok sa pagpupulong (hindi nagsasalita ng ingles, may kapansanan sa pandinig, atbp.) ay dapat kontakin ang kawani nang kahit limang araw bago ang pagpupulong para humiling ng mga espesyal na kasunduan.
9/27/25
cNs-3970371# AsiAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
Why the Philippines is critical to European security?
by Linar-Mae Orbista Philstar.com
oN september 10, the state council of china announced the establishment of a so-called “huangyan island National Nature reserve” at Bajo de masinloc, or scarborough shoal. far from being an act of environmental protection, this move was a weak attempt to legitimize Beijing’s baseless maritime claims in the south china sea. these claims were already rendered null and void by the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award, which recognized the Philippines’ sovereign rights in its exclusive economic zone.
Barely a week later, on september 16, a Philippine Bureau of fisheries and Aquatic resources-operated vessel was subjected to dangerous maneuvers and sustained water cannon attacks by chinese coast Guard and maritime militia vessels.
the filipino vessel, BrP Datu Gumbay Piang, which was on a lawful humanitarian mission to deliver food, fuel and water to filipino fisherfolk, sustained structural and electrical damage.
Worse, one filipino crew member was left injured following the assault. to heighten tensions further, a chinese warship announced the conduct of a livefire exercise in the same vicinity on the same day, instilling fear among local fisherfolk. these unlawful and provocative actions are not isolated incidents. they now form the baseline of Beijing’s ongoing gray-zone operations in Philippine waters— acts of harassment deliberately kept below the threshold of armed conflict but designed to in-
timidate, provoke retaliation and assert control.
Beyond these tangible encounters at sea, the Philippines is subjected to the full spectrum of asymmetric threats. cyberattacks, Ai-driven disinformation campaigns and persistent malign influence form part of this expanding toolkit of coercion. the country has become a frontline state in an increasingly contested indo-Pacific, where threats are no longer confined to conventional warfare.
Two theaters, shared threats these challenges are not unique to the Philippines. Across the indo-Pacific, they manifest in different forms—from relentless cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns in taiwan to constant intrusions around the senkaku islands.
europe faces an equally precarious environment, largely shaped by russia’s invasion of Ukraine, to threats ranging from drone incursions such as the recent incident in Poland to the sabotage of undersea cables in the Baltic sea. the same asymmetric playbook that undermines stability in the indo-Pacific is likewise being deployed in europe—marked by lawfare designed to distort international norms, the targeting of critical infrastructure, and the militarization of emerging technologies such as drones and artificial intelligence. Imperative for cross-regional cooperation
As stratbase institute President Prof. Dindo manhit emphasized in the recently concluded high-level conference organized by the institute, in partnership with the european council on foreign relations, “the nations
and the people of europe and the indo-Pacific share more things than one might imagine.” though separated by distance, he noted, changing times have narrowed the gaps and intertwined their present and future. Partnership is not only ideal; it is vital in today’s interconnected world,” he stressed. echoing this call, National security Adviser secretary eduardo Año underscored that “asymmetric threats demand symmetric unity and systematic actions.” he emphasized that, among other important alliances, strategic partnerships, and cooperation, europe and the indo-Pacific are no longer distant actors in navigating pressing issues and predicaments. instead, they have become intertwined pillars of global security. from the european perspective, James crabtree of the european council on foreign relations highlighted the importance of understanding the interconnections between the euro-Atlantic and indo-Pacific theaters, particularly among countries that share values and information. only through such connections, he argued, can partners begin to develop meaningful solutions to shared challenges.
rear Admiral Guillaume Pinget, commander of the french Armed forces in the Pacific, likewise stressed that “the need for a deeper dialogue between partners has never been more urgent, as is the strengthening of cross-regional cooperation,” reaffirming that france—being both a european and indo-Pacific resident nation—is fully committed to working alongside like-minded
Palace keeps distance as ICC case against Duterte...
2018. the first count involves 19 killings in Davao city from 2013 to 2016, during Duterte’s tenure as mayor. the second count cites 14 so-called “high-value target” killings in the early phase of the nationwide drug war between 2016 and 2017. the third count details 43 killings and two attempted murders during barangay “clearance operations” conducted across the country from 2016 to 2018. Prosecutors noted that the victims listed in the charges represent only a fraction of the thousands of deaths under investigation, but were chosen to illustrate what they argue was a “widespread or systematic attack” against civilians.
Pre-trial hearing postponed A confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for september 23 was postponed after Dute-
rte’s defense raised concerns about his fitness to stand trial. icc judges ordered a limited delay to allow medical and psychological assessments, with no new date set pending the results of the evaluation.
Defense posture and jurisdiction Duterte’s lawyers have filed submissions questioning both his mental capacity and the icc’s jurisdiction, citing the Philippines’ 2019 withdrawal from the rome statute. the icc has previously ruled, however, that it retains authority over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a state party.
Vice President sara Duterte has separately suggested that another country might host her father if granted interim release, though malacañang has not commented on that possibility.
Reactions human rights groups have
welcomed the icc’s move as an overdue step toward accountability. some figures tied to anti-drug operations, however, told the Guardian they remain unrepentant, saying they acted under lawful orders. in the United states, senator edward J. markey applauded the icc announcement, calling it an “important step.” the Duterte family has consistently denied wrongdoing, maintaining that the anti-drug campaign was a legitimate government response to the narcotics trade. Government holds its line for now, the marcos administration is keeping its distance, neither challenging the icc nor defending Duterte. By maintaining neutrality, officials appear intent on insulating the government from a case that continues to unfold in the hague. n
Jessica Sanchez is AGT Season 20...
sion history.
From Idol runner-up to household name sanchez first captured attention in 2011 when she auditioned for American idol season 11 in san Diego. she advanced through hollywood and Las Vegas rounds with renditions of powerhouse classics. in April 2012 she faced elimination in the top 7, but judges Jennifer Lopez, steven tyler, and randy Jackson unanimously used their one “save” of the season to keep her in the competition. that decision propelled her all the way to the finale, where she squared off against Phillip Phillips. on may 23, 2012, Phillips was declared winner, while sanchez placed second, a finish that nonetheless cemented her status as one of the franchise’s standout performers. her idol run included bold song choices — “i Will Always Love You” during the top 13 Whitney tribute week and “the Prayer” in the finale. those performances earned her acclaim and helped cement her reputation as a powerhouse vocalist, despite finishing second.
Music and television career following idol, sanchez signed with interscope records and 19 entertainment. she released her debut studio album me, You & the music in April 2013, which entered the Billboard 200 at number 26. its lead single, “tonight,” featured r&B star Ne-Yo. that same year, she appeared on the fox series Glee as frida romero, delivering a pair of guest appearances that showcased her vocal range to a younger audience. over the next decade she continued to release singles, perform internationally, and cultivate a following, particularly among filipino American fans who identified with her heritage. sanchez is the eldest child of editha Bugay, a filipina from samal, Bataan, and Gilbert sanchez, a mexican American who served in the U.s Navy reserve.
Returning to the AGT stage What made her AGt win remarkable was that this was not her first encounter with the program. At just 11 years old,
sanchez competed in season 1 of America’s Got talent in 2006 and reached the semifinals. Nearly two decades later, she returned for the milestone 20th season. her audition earned the Golden Buzzer from judge sofía Vergara, sending her directly to the live shows.
sanchez’s 2025 performances came with an added layer of attention: she was nine months pregnant throughout the live rounds. in the semifinals she sang Alex Warren’s “ordinary” as a dedication to her unborn child. in the finale she performed “Die With a smile,” the Lady Gaga and Bruno mars duet that has become a global anthem in 2025. Both performances drew strong public response and reinforced her narrative of resilience and artistry.
A landmark win on finale night, sanchez topped a diverse field that included freestyle rapper chris turner, LeD troupe LightWire, pop vocalist Jourdan Blue, and the Leo high school choir. When host terry crews announced her as the winner, it marked the first time in AGt history that a competitor from its earliest season returned to capture the crown years later. her victory also underscored the breadth of her career. from a
young contestant on Apollo theater’s showtime at the Apollo, to a teenage powerhouse on idol, to an established recording artist, and now to a pregnant champion on AGt, sanchez’s arc is virtually unmatched in televised talent competition history.
Full circle moment for sanchez, the win represents validation of perseverance across two decades of performing. for filipino Americans, it adds to a growing list of success stories in mainstream U.s. competitions where cultural heritage and talent intersect on a global stage. And for America’s Got talent, it provided a narrative that connected its very first season with its twentieth, underscoring how the franchise has become a platform for both discovery and reinvention.
As of this month, sanchez is preparing to welcome her child while carrying the distinction of being AGt’s newest champion. her next chapter will be shaped by how she balances motherhood with the opportunities that now come with her latest victory. What is beyond dispute is that Jessica sanchez has secured her place in entertainment history: an idol runner-up turned AGt champion whose story spans generations of television audiences. n
Whitehouse.gov file photo
PAGE A1
PAGE A1
From prodigy to champion: Jessica Sanchez first appeared on America’s Got Talent as an 11-year-old in 2006, rose to fame as the runner-up of American Idol Season 11 in 2012, and returned nearly two decades later to win AGT Season 20, while nine months pregnant.
Photo from AGT/NBC
DAteline PhiliPPines
Palace activates national disaster response plan
by aLexis RomeRo Philstar.com
mANiLA — As the country grapples with the effects of recent cyclones, malacañang ordered national government agencies to implement the 2024 National Disaster response Plan (NDrP), which contains strategies to effectively mitigate calamity risks and effects and ensure the timely delivery of aid to affected areas. the government adopted the response plan through memorandum circular No. 100 signed by executive secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of President marcos last sept. 23.
“It is imperative for all national government agencies and instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations and LGUs (local government units) to support and cooperate towards the successful implementation of the 2024 NDRP,” the memorandum circular read.
“In accordance with their respective mandates, all concerned agencies and instrumentalities of the national government, including government-owned or controlled corporations, are hereby directed, and all LGUs are hereby encouraged, to undertake efforts in support of the implementation of 2024 NDRP, and the plans and programs specified therein,” the memo added. the office of civil Defense was tasked to coordinate closely with the Presidential communications office to disseminate the plan to all concerned government entities.
the plan is in line with the Philippine Disaster risk reduction and management Act of 2010, which adopted a paradigm shift from reactive to proactive approach to disaster risk management. it contains the mechanisms, guiding principles, goals and strategies and institutional arrangements to effectively plan and implement disaster response and early recovery even before disaster happens.
53 areas placed on alert the Department of the interior and Local Government (DiLG) placed metro manila and 52 provinces on alert as local government
LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
LAcmtA will receive proposals for Ps135699 - e Line Access control system and intrusion Detection Upgrade at bids@metro. net this project is a small Business enterprise (sBe) set-Aside contract. to participate in this rfP, proposers must be sBe certified with LAcmtA prior to proposal due date. for information on the set-Aside Program, visit: https://business.metro.net/ webcenter/portal/VendorPortal/ pages_home/smallbusinesstools/ smallbusinessprimeprogram
All proposals must be received on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific time on monday, october 27, 2025 at the address listed above, sent to the attention of marc margoni. Proposals received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the proposer unopened. 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 marc margoni at margonim@metro. net. 9/27/25
cNs-3970174# AsiAN
(L.A.)
units brace for the impact of severe tropical storm opong (international name Bualoi).
sixteen areas under Alert Level charlie were Albay, Bataan, Batangas, camarines Norte, camarines sur, catanduanes, cavite, Laguna, marinduque, masbate, Northern samar, occidental mindoro, Quezon, rizal, sorsogon and metro manila. these areas are within a 100-kilometer diameter radius and under direct threat from opong. the DiLG said LGUs should prepare for intense winds and torrential rains that may cause floods, landslides and damage to critical infrastructure.
ten provinces are under Level Bravo and may experience strong winds of up to 85 kilometers per hour and heavy to intense rains.
twenty-seven provinces are under Alert Level Alpha which may experience moderate to heavy rains. these are Abra, Aklan, Antique, Benguet, Biliran, Bohol, capiz, cebu, Dinagat islands, Guimaras, ifugao, ilocos sur, iloilo, isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Leyte, mountain Province, Negros occidental, Negros oriental, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, southern Leyte, surigao del Norte and surigao del sur.
the DiLG ordered LGUs in the affected areas to activate operate Listo protocols, initiate pre-emptive evacuation of at-risk communities and secure evacuation centers with adequate food, water and medical supplies.
the Department of social Welfare and Development is on red alert for severe tropical storm opong, DsWD Assistant secretary and spokesperson irene Dumlao said yesterday.
Dumlao said that 5,433 quick response team members of the DsWD were deployed since yesterday to ensure immediate response and assistance.
The DSWD is ready. We have more than 2.5 million family food packs prepositioned in various parts of the country, in those areas that will be hit by Opong. Particularly in Region 8, we have 157,295 family food packs prepositioned there,” Dumlao said in a press conference.
Code White the Department of health (Doh) has raised the White code Alert to ensure hospitals and health facilities can immediately respond to any incident needing medical attention as tropical storm opong was expected to make landfall on friday.
PAGE A8
P457m cash withdrawals put Land Bank under Senate probe in flood-control scandal
by AJPress
mANiLA — senators pressed the Land Bank of the Philippines on thursday, september 25, over why its malolos highway branch allowed a contractor to withdraw about P457 million in cash within two days, transactions now at the center of the senate Blue ribbon investigation into alleged irregularities in flood-control projects in Bulacan.
During the hearing, syms construction trading owner sally santos confirmed she withdrew P457 million in cash and said similar large transactions were processed by the same branch. senators francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and committee chair Panfilo “Ping” Lacson confronted LandBank malolos highway branch head ma. Lilibeth Lim on how the withdrawals were permitted. Lim said the bank followed procedure after funds were credited through the government’s payment workflow and emphasized that reporting obligations apply to large transactions.
Documents presented at the senate showed two separate cash withdrawals each totaling P457 million, recorded on march 24, 2025, and July 3, 2025, along with other same-day cash withdrawals of P180 million, P141 million, P299 million, and P65
million. senators said the pattern raised red flags, particularly because the funds were proceeds of Department of Public Works and highways payments for projects now under scrutiny.
LandBank officials explained the government’s standard disbursement process. After the Bureau of the treasury issues a Notice of cash Allocation, the agency generates a List of Due and Demandable Accounts Payable–Advice to Debit Account (LDDAP-ADA), which instructs the bank to credit supplier accounts. LandBank legal officer rafael Yap said the bank complies with reporting requirements under the Anti-money Laundering Act (AmLA) but stressed that reports filed with the Anti-money Laundering council are confidential and cannot be disclosed publicly.
the LDDAP-ADA system, created under Department of Budget and management and Bureau of the treasury guidelines, consolidates accounts payable and directs banks to debit government accounts to settle obligations with contractors and suppliers. once credited, suppliers may opt to withdraw funds in cash or through checks, subject to verification.
Lawmakers also pointed to the AmLA threshold that requires banks to submit covered transac-
tion reports for cash transactions exceeding P500,000 in a single banking day, and to report suspicious transactions regardless of amount. senators questioned why transactions of this magnitude did not trigger additional scrutiny, given the risks of diversion or money laundering. the withdrawals are part of a wider probe into alleged kickbacks and ghost projects tied to flood-control works in Bulacan dating back several years. two former DPWh engineers have testified that projects were overpriced or substandard to accommodate illicit payments to public officials. those named in testimonies, including lawmakers, have strongly denied wrongdoing. Authorities have begun restricting access to suspected proceeds. on september 16, the court of Appeals granted the Anti-money Laundering council a freeze order on assets linked to individuals and entities under investigation, initially covering 135 bank accounts and 27 insurance policies, with more accounts added later. As of september 26, 2025, the senate has asked LandBank to submit complete records of the malolos highway branch transactions. the bank maintained that it processed withdrawals in
LAcmtA will receive Bids/ Proposals for mA135583 - BeLt - LAP, 2Pt, eLr/ orANGe, 74" LG, 9 WeB ALArm, DUAL seNsiat the 9th floor receptionist Desk, Vendor/contract management Department, one Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, cA 90012. A Pre-Bid conference will not be held. All Bids must be submitted to LAcmtA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/cm Department, on or before 1:00 p.m. Pacific time on Wednesday, october 29, 2025, 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. mA135583. 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 David tesillo at tesillod@metro.net. 9/27/25 cNs-3968878# AsiAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
President Marcos meets with disaster officials on preparations for Tropical Storm Opong at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council office at Camp Aguinaldo. Philstar.com photo
OPiniOn FeAtures
A new world order from the streets?
Across Manila, Kathmandu and Jakarta, young people are leading uprisings against corruption and privilege. Their protests raise a question with global stakes: Can Gen Z transform disruption into lasting reform?
The September 21 rallies in Manila should not be mistaken as mere nostalgia for People Power. When thousands marched from the eDSA Shrine to the People Power Monument demanding accountability in the P545-billion floodcontrol scandal, the loudest and most visible were the young. Filipino students carried placards that named lawmakers, young professionals chanted “Ibalik ang pera ng bayan” (“Return the people’s money”), and online networks turned outrage into mobilization. Their message was simple: corruption is not politics as usual; it is theft of their future.
this surge of youth-led protest cannot be understood in isolation. it is part of a regional pattern that has already unsettled governments in Nepal and indonesia.
in Kathmandu, Gen Z helped rally the country after a social media ban, storming parliament and torching government offices — actions that contributed to the downfall of Prime minister K.P. sharma oli. in Jakarta, students and gig workers made lawmakers’ housing perks the symbol of a corrupt order. the protests escalated after Affan Kurniawan, a young motorcycle taxi driver, was killed by a police vehicle during a crackdown outside parliament. his death became a powerful symbol
Commentary
the proposed “pipe dream” by property consultant David Leechiu of welcoming 50 million tourists to the Philippines by 2050 is not just a logistical ambition—it’s a narrative challenge. Because no matter how sleek our airports become, how pristine our beaches remain, or how efficient our visa systems evolve, the truth is simple and urgent: kung walang kuwento, walang kwenta if we have no story, we have no value. And if we forget our story, we risk becoming strangers in our own land. for too long, the Philippines has been marketed as a backdrop—beautiful, yes, but passive. A place of warm smiles and turquoise waters, but not of world-shaping drama, genius, or transformation. Ask any tourist what comes to mind, and the answer is almost always the same: beaches, hospitality, karaoke, maybe a jeepney or two. But this is a country that once stopped magellan in his tracks—not with violence alone, but with wonder. his 43-day detour through
Virtual Reality
T ony l opez
imPressiVe. that is how i characterize People Power iV, circa 2025, staged sunday, sept. 21, the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law. the weather was good (slow moving super typhoon was a good 300 kms away), the crowd was good (as high was 50,000 at its peak) and the messaging was good –down with corruption, jail the corrupt, return the money stolen. some protesters, especially a handful of disgruntled high-pension retired military officers, demanded the ouster of President ferdinand r marcos Jr. Until they were reminded that BBm successor, Vice President sara Duterte, could be worse.
A group of organized rabble-rousers, wearing masks, brandishing home-made bombs and employing minors, tried to trigger violence over 12 hours
of public anger. in response, President Prabowo subianto rolled back perks for lawmakers and reshuffled his cabinet, removing several key ministers including finance and security. these are not parallel stories by coincidence. they reveal a generational shift. Youth across Asia, connected by memes, encrypted chats, and pop-culture symbols, are rewriting the language of dissent. the pirate flag from one Piece, a black banner with a skull in a straw hat from the Japanese manga that symbolizes freedom and defiance, has appeared in protests in both Kathmandu and Jakarta. in the Philippines, youth slogans on placards
Our past is our passport: Filipino tourism beyond the beach
our islands cracked open the european imagination. What he saw—cosmopolitan ports, maritime kingdoms, metallurgy, ritual, and resistance—challenged every assumption his world had made about ours. that encounter helped launch the Age of exploration, and in a strange twist of fate, the space age. Yet today, we reduce that moment to a colonial footnote, forgetting that it was our ancestors who turned the tide.
And that wasn’t our only golden age. the Philippines, once known as the Perla del Mar de Oriente gave rise to Asia’s first modern republic. A constitution. A separation of church and state. A generation of filipino thinkers who envisioned a nation not as a colony, but as a sovereign beacon. these were not borrowed ideas—they were authored here, on our soil, by minds shaped by our own cosmologies.
But where are the monuments that make these legacies tangible? Where are the immersive sites that allow tourists —and filipinos— to walk through these chapters of brilliance? this is where heritage tourism becomes not just viable, but vi-
tal. imagine a Precolonial heritage Park that rivals Las casas filipinas de Acuzar but centers on indigenous brilliance. Picture children exploring okir-carved ships, sipping salabat in panolong-framed pavilions, watching artisans revive ancient crafts once thought lost. think of marawi, not as a headline of conflict, but as a living museum of the Lanao sultanates. envision the Astanah Darul Jambangan not as a replica, but as a declaration—that the story of the Bangsa sug still sings, still reigns, and still commands reverence. other nations have done this: turkey with Çatalhöyük, Japan with Yoshinogari Park, Zimbabwe with Great Zimbabwe. these aren’t ruins —they’re engines. they generate pride, jobs, and pilgrimages. they remind the world—and their own people— what came before colonization, and what still persists beneath the rubble of neglect. the Philippines has the raw material: the blueprints in our bones, the choreography in our rituals, the design language in
u PAGE A7
The real People Power
starting at 2 p.m., sept 21. half a km from the presidential palace, they burned the tires of an abandoned container van, challenged anti-riot cops to a stoneand bottle-throwing patintero to trigger police violence and even entered a downtown hotel and held up some of the guests. this is according to Department of the interior and Local Government secretary Jonvic remulla. some 90 policemen were injured when pelted with stones. Up to 130 protesters, 17 of them minors, were arrested and booked. the rioters seemed to have support. some irresponsible citizens uploaded video showing shots of wounded and dying demonstrators, an obvious lie. remulla denied any policeman fired live bullets.
We have had three People Power episodes – People Power i of feb. 22-25, 1986 that ended ferdinand e marcos’ 20-year reign; People Power ii of Jan. 17-20, 2001 that ousted Joseph ejercito estrada after 30 months in office and People Power iii of may 1, 2001, a popular uprising
often mix biting humor with irony. many observers describe these movements as decentralized, leaderless, and focused more on symbolic visibility and accountability than on grand manifestos or
ideological dogma. for the Philippines, the
is clear. the youth are no longer content to inherit unfinished
of ordinary people, but without military, church and civil society backing. it attempted to reinstall estrada. it failed.
People Power i of 1986 toppled a 20-year regime and ushered into power a 53-year-old plain corazon cojuangco Aquino despite having lost, per official comelec records, the feb. 7, 1986 snap election called by ferdinand e marcos sr.
cory Aquino initiated two major reforms now enshrined in her 1987 constitution: one, a ban on dynasties (congress, 70 percent of whose members are dynasts, never approved the enabling law) and two, the abolition of the two-party system, the Nacionalista Party and the Liberal Party which since 1935 had alternated in capturing the presidency and ruling the country.
cory described the stalwarts of the NP and LP to me as “puro babaero lang mga yan!” (Those guys are all philanderers). in the old days, senators were not only credentialed intellectuals (half of the old 24-member
u PAGE A7
the final tragedy is that many of us knew – or had an inkling – about what was going on. it is only the enormity of the public works corruption that staggers us. We had to wait for the evidence to reach critical mass. We had to wait for bridges to fall, dams to collapse and the floods to flow before raising our fists. there was a reason the DPWh allocation in the 2025 national budget ballooned such that it overshadowed spending for education, thereby creating a constitutional issue. But instead of taking a closer look, what the marcos administration did was to aggregate spending for such institutions as the PmA and the PNPA into the share of education. By doing so, they hoped to circumvent the constitutional dictate. the supreme court has yet to rule on the petitions to declare the enacted budget unconstitutional. it has yet to rule on the constitutionality of government grabbing the “excess” funds of Philhealth and the PDic those
funds belong to the enrolled members. Perhaps fearing an adverse ruling, President marcos last week ordered the return of what is left of the funds commandeered from Philhealth. this does not extinguish the case at the highest tribunal. should the court rule the diversion of funds unconstitutional, this provides grounds for impeachment. We have learned much from the senate hearing on the flood control mess. the most disturbing thing is the extent to which the budget process has been captured by criminally minded legislators in connivance with the most corrupt bureaucrats. ideally, the identification of projects should begin with inputs from local development councils. they have the best grasp of what localities need. Now we know that the local development councils have been excluded from the process. for good measure, local government executives have been excluded from both project identification as well as execution. the most questionable public works projects did not only keep local government out of the loop. it kept them in the dark. this is the reason why some of
our reform-minded mayors have banded together. they demand their participation in project planning and execution be restored. Beyond that, the process of identifying projects has effectively been ripped away from the executive branch. the collusion between legislators and bureaucrats enabled the former to load projects – not on the basis of necessity but on the facility with which kickbacks could be produced. our legislators, it appears, no longer need the traditional pork barrel – declared unconstitutional by the supreme court years ago. instead, powerful politicians can build their preferred projects into the National expenditure Program (NeP). this program emanates from the executive branch and should reflect careful planning. Not anymore. the corrupt politicians in congress have taken control of the NeP, away from a passive presidency. A quiet legislative coup has happened. the fact that this legislative coup happened is sad testimony about the quality of leadership provided by BBm recall when issues were raised about absent numbers in the u PAGE A7
What would Rizal advise? public lives
fiftY-three years ago, ferdinand marcos sr., seizing upon a little-known provision of the 1935 constitution, placed the entire country under martial law. he justified it as the only way to save the republic from a supposed leftist-rightist conspiracy. But it soon became clear that the threat was only a pretext. marcos used the emergency powers prescribed by the constitution to erect what he called a “New society.” that costly experiment collapsed in 1986. Yet the popular aspirations from which it drew support — peace and order, economic prosperity, and a government free of corruption — did not vanish. they were revived decades later and mobilized behind the candidacy of the dictator’s son, ferdinand marcos Jr. the same yearnings had earlier animated the people pow-
er revolution that swept cory Aquino into office in february 1986. that is how powerful the promise of change is. Go further back in our history and we find the same vision in the writings of Jose rizal. Unlike many of his contemporaries, however, rizal sought change with wisdom and reflectiveness, to the point of being perceived as merely a reformist. he knew that freedom meant more than expelling the spanish tyrants. “The slaves of today could be the tyrants of tomorrow,” he warned. there was no guarantee that filipino leaders would govern better than the colonizers. something deeper had to change: the way we live our daily lives, the way we relate to one another, the way we select and deal with our leaders. rizal believed that true change must grow from small beginnings — from habits of self-discipline and the practice of civic duty. from afar, he could “step out of the skin of his own culture” (as the writer Benedict Anderson
graphically put it) and critically reflect on his people’s traits. rizal saw how difficult it would be for a whole nation to undergo such a shift, even after independence. education was crucial, but not just formal schooling. more important was the learning that comes from practicing self-rule and taking responsibility for its burdens. this was what he envisioned in the La Liga filipina program, which he could not implement because, after the tondo meeting in which he presented it, he was immediately arrested and thrown into exile in Dapitan. on the day of his arrest, Andres Bonifacio founded the Katipunan. four years later, the 1896 revolution exploded. today, as public anger over corruption in flood control projects boils over, we hear again the cry: tama na, sobra na, palitan na! But what exactly do we want to change? We may replace corrupt engineers in the Department of Public Works and highways and auditors from u PAGE A7
ManilaTimes.net photo
lesson
Eliseo Art Silva
Alex MAgno First Person
The rise of ‘Disney princesses’ and nepo babies in Philippine politics
by AJPress
the P545 billion flood control scandal has exposed not only the tangled network of contractors and public officials but also the families who live within their shadow. As senate hearings and investigative reports unfold, the children of these clans have become unlikely symbols of privilege. their curated social media lives have been turned into viral images of excess, sparking the labels “Disney princesses” and “nepo babies.”
The face of the backlash
Among the most cited is claudine Julia monique co, daughter of businessman christopher
“Kito” co and niece of rep. elizaldy “Zaldy” co of Ako Bicol. her online presence, which once featured luxury travel, designer labels, and glimpses of private jets, drew sharp reactions when her family’s companies appeared in contractor lists flagged by investigators.
Netizens contrasted her lifestyle with the plight of communities left vulnerable to flooding. Amid mounting criticism, claudine restricted access to her social media pages, but not before her posts circulated widely.
her situation captured the public mood. for critics, she embodied the disconnect between political-business dynasties and the everyday struggles of citizens. for supporters, she was an easy target of digital outrage. What is certain is that her image has become part of the scandal’s narrative, whether she intended it or not.
A wider circle other members of the co family also felt the weight of scrutiny, although less directly. siblings and cousins retreated from public platforms as old photos resurfaced in threads about privilege and inequality. the lens has widened beyond the co clan. Lemuel Lubiano, claudine’s boyfriend, was mentioned after online users linked his lifestyle to his father’s company. his father, Lawrence Lubiano, is president of centerways construction and Development, a firm included among those with major flood control contracts. While Lemuel faces no legal case, his social media posts showing sports cars and high-end fashion placed him in the same conversation about generational wealth and access. The digital framing of privilege the terms “Disney princess” and “nepo baby” are not official designations. they are products of online culture that filipinos have used to process anger with satire. Borrowed from hollywood debates about inherited fame, the phrase “nepo baby” resonates strongly in a political environment where family names dominate both elective offices and contracting firms. the “Disney princess” metaphor takes that critique further by mocking the contrast between fairy tale glamour and real-life suffering. Placards at protest rallies, memes on social media, and hashtags have turned these young women into shorthand for privilege enjoyed
in the midst of national hardship. Why it matters the focus on influencers and relatives is not about personal guilt. None of these young figures have been charged in connection with the flood control projects. What their stories reveal is the cultural tension between privilege and accountability. their online personas, whether curated or casual, have become mirrors of a deeper grievance.
in a nation weary of corruption scandals, the spotlight on families shows that the problem is not limited to contracts and committees. it is about how political and business dynasties pass down advantages across generations. that is why the “Disney princesses” and “nepo babies” narrative has struck such a chord.
Awaiting accountability the investigations into the flood control projects continue, and legal responsibility remains to be determined by courts and commissions. Yet on the stage of public opinion, the verdict is already shaping up. satire, irony, and digital discourse have ensured that the faces of privilege are etched into the scandal’s memory. in the end, the children of power did not choose the spotlight, but they now symbolize the larger question hanging over Philippine society: how much longer will inherited influence be allowed to insulate families while the public shoulders the cost? n
Our past is our passport: Filipino tourism...
our textiles. What we need now is the courage—and capital—to build on them. infrastructure, anchor destinations, diversified markets—these are essential. But without a compelling narrative, they are scaffolding without soul. the real runway we must build is one of memory, pride, and authorship. Because we are not just a beach destination with bonus karaoke. We are volcanoes, fiestas, coral kingdoms, ancestral wisdom, and 7,641 reasons
A new world order from the streets?
promises of reform. they are not passive guardians of People Power’s memory; they are active claimants of its unfinished work. By directly naming lawmakers and demanding restitution, they have redefined protest from symbolic resistance to concrete confrontation. this is not protest as performance. it is protest as insurrection against corruption. What, then, do we mean by asking if this is a new world order from the streets? the phrase is not about geopolitics in the old sense, where elites rearrange power at summits. it is about a shift in where political authority is now being contested. in Nepal, indonesia, the Philippines, and beyond, the streets, filled with young people armed with memes, Qr codes, and out-
rage, are forcing changes that parliaments and cabinets resist. this is a world order born not in boardrooms but in rallies and marches. it is not negotiated in presidential palaces or parliamentary chambers but demanded by students. it is not only national but transnational. the symbols, slogans, and tactics echo across borders, from Kathmandu to Jakarta to manila. the shared anger at corruption and privilege suggests that Gen Z is not only confronting their own leaders but also shaping a new culture of resistance that governments everywhere must confront.
Yet the question mark matters. Anger can be explosive but short-lived. Decentralized movements are harder to crush but also harder to channel into lasting reform.
Excluded
the challenge for the filipino youth, and their counterparts in Asia, is whether they can transform disruption into durable institutions of accountability. otherwise, governments may concede perks, reshuffle cabinets, or even replace heads of government, but the structures of corruption will remain intact. still, the fact that the young are willing to rise at all is itself transformative. the old guard must take heed: the youth are not asking for space in the political order; they are creating a new one. Whether that becomes chaos or a more accountable democracy will depend not only on their persistence but also on whether the rest of society recognizes that the struggle of the young is not confined to their generation; it is the unfinished struggle of the nation itself. (AJPress)
budget. BBm countered that he reviewed the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and found no blanks.
leadership to all 300 or so congressmen. Not one congressman has surfaced to admit this. the payoffs could be the reason why our legislators have been so complicit or so inattentive to the many red flags raised. it seems “omerta,” the mafiosi code of silence, operates in our congress as well. there is one phrase the former DPWh secretary mentioned that intrigues me. he spoke of a “leadership fund” in the agency. that sounds like another repository of funds available for plunder has been built into the institutional mechanisms. it seems the head of the agency enjoys a slush fund to be given away to the hungriest politicians.
to come back. We are the seat of forgotten empires, unbroken traditions, and unmatched beauty of soul. Let’s stop exporting our people and start inviting the world to rediscover the Philippines— not as a tropical escape, but as a cultural epic with multiple golden ages. heritage tourism is not a nostalgic detour. it is our straightest path forward. it’s time to make our past our passport—to prosperity, to pride, and to our rightful place in history, finally told in our own voice. * * * 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.
* * * Eliseo Art Silva is a Filipino artist based in Los Angeles and Manila whose murals and paintings reclaim history, elevate diasporic narratives, and ignite civic dialogue. Best known for the Filipino American Mural in LA and the Talang Gabay Gateway to Filipinotown, Silva fuses myth, scholarship, and activism to restore Filipino identity and authorship to the heart of national and global discourse.
What would Rizal advise?
the commission on Audit, even senators, congressmen, and local officials who profit from the system. We might even remove the president, as we did in 1986 and 2001. Yet in a few years new corrupt actors will emerge. Why?
it is not because filipinos are naturally corrupt or have lost their moral bearings. our indignation proves that we still know betrayal when we see it. corruption persists because it is useful. it serves entrenched ways of doing politics and governance. We cannot root it out without also changing the politics we have come to accept. But politics cannot be remade by merely drafting another constitution. We have seen how the 1987 charter’s noble intentions
have been undermined by endless quarrels over meaning. this is more than just a question of precision in wording, for the constitution in its present form is already quite wordy compared to other constitutions. this is where our moral intuitions matter. they tell us what feels right even when the law is silent. husband-and-wife tandems, parent-and-child, or siblings running towns and provinces or populating both houses of congress – these may not be illegal, but our instincts say this is not democracy as it should be. instead of heeding these intuitions, we blame the people for voting badly. But the greater shame falls on those who seek office without competence or vision, offering only money, con-
nections, or celebrity status — and who then use official power to enrich themselves further.
the point is: when we demand change, we must be clear that nation-building cannot be reduced to swapping leaders or rewriting rules. A just and honest society grows when laws are grounded in moral intuition, and when leaders live modestly and show what it means to serve with integrity and competence. this, i believe, is what rizal would advise us today. (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.
* * * public.lives@gmail.com
The real People Power
senate were Bar topnotchers), they were also good looking and charmers. though a dropout from three universities, Ninoy Aquino, the boyish-looking husband of cory, had a reputation as a ladies’ man. the two so-called cory reforms partly explain why our political system has reached its unprecedented nadir in terms of corruption. the NP and the LP were replaced by a party-list system – a buffet of parties with weird acronyms (most them starting with the first five letters of the alphabet because comelec used to print ballots with parties enumerated alphabetically) and even more weird advocacies. thanks to a supreme court ruling, anyone can form a party and promote an advocacy without belonging to the sector anyone claims to represent (a security guard party need not be represented by a security guard; a billionaire can represent the poor masses party). You get the joke? Under the old two-party system of 1935 to 1986, the NP and LP competed for power, the presidency. to capture the presidency, they must first capture the 24-member senate. to capture the senate, the NP and LP fielded the best and brightest from each region. thus, Bar topnotcher Arturo tolentino was recruited for
manila; Bar topnotcher Jose W. Diokno for Batangas, Bar topnotcher manuel Quezon for Quezon province, harvard-educated lawyer Lorenzo tañada for tayabas, Bar topnotcher ferdinand marcos for ilocos Norte, Bar topnotcher Lorenzo sumulong for rizal province; first woman Bar topnotcher tecla san Andres Ziga for camarines sur, Bar topnotcher sergio osmeña for cebu and Bar topnotcher emmanuel Pelaez for mindanao, to name a few. even the old house of representatives with 100 members adopted the practice of recruiting members from the Bar topnotcher ranks of lawyers. examples were Bar topnotcher congressmen Diosdado macapagal from Pampanga and Pelaez from misamis. these people were virtually unknown nationwide. the parties NP and LP financed their candidacies, thanks to the builtin campaign finance under the old electoral system. since only two major parties competed for candidacies, each party was represented in the three-man board of canvassers in each electoral precinct – the NP, the LP and a public school teacher as chairman. the setup ensured two things: one, no rampant vote buying and therefore, a public office was cheap to pursue, and two, a relatively honest count. each election return was signed by
three people – the NP and LP representatives and the teacher-chairman.
the effect was that the country trained very good leaders –without massive election spending and without massive election cheating.
six senators who were Bar topnotchers were elected presidents. in fact, all presidents elected since 1935 to 1965, except one (ramon magsaysay) were Bar topnotchers.
During 1935 to 1965, the Philippines became one of the fastest growing and the second richest nation in Asia, after Japan. Why? competence and little corruption. today, in the 315-member congress, there are 64 party-list congressmen. Among the 315 congressmen are 67 contractors. the present 20th congress is the most corrupt congress we have had in nearly 130 years. the solution to corruption? return the two-party system. Abolish the party-list system. And yes, pass, finally, the Anti-Dynasty Law. this, if undertaken, is the real People Power. (Philstar.com)
he was looking at the wrong document. the blanks occurred in the documents circulated by the bicameral conference committee for the other legislators to blindly sign. to this day, the minutes of the bicameral committee meetings that saw billions more in congressional insertions could not be produced. the records of the so-called “small committee” do not seem to exist. it was in these secretive meetings that hundreds of billions more were inserted beyond even the oversight of the two legislative chambers. the final figures involved were presented as blanks before the other legislators, only to be penciled in, by ronnie Puno’s account, by the smallest committee composed of Zaldy co and chiz escudero. this even smaller and even more secretive committee completed not only the coup against the executive branch, but also against the plenaries of both legislative chambers.
Zaldy co must be a genius. he not only bent all the rules of the budget process to suit his goals. he removed all the institutional guardrails intended to prevent abuse of taxpayer money. there are rumors, so far unsubstantiated, about monthly cash drops made by the former
What stands out from all we know now is a small cabal of greedy politicians and corrupt bureaucrats systematically excluded everybody else from the budget-making process: the regional development councils, the local governments, the national government planning bureaus and ultimately all the other complacent legislators. it will take many years to fix the institutional problems that allowed so much to be looted by the crime syndicates that have taken hold of government spending. But we must begin by making budget-making more inclusive. (Philstar.com)
* * *
The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily
LAcmtA will receive Proposals for Ps135797 - metro Bike share Programat the 9th floor receptionist Desk, Vendor/contract management Department, one Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, cA 90012. All Proposals must be submitted to LAcmtA, and be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/cm Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific time on friday, october 31, 2025. Proposals received after the above date and time may be rejected and returned unopened. each proposal must be sealed and marked Proposal No. Ps135797. 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 Ana rodriguez at rodrigueza8@ metro.net. 9/27/25 cNs-3971242# AsiAN JoUrNAL (L.A.)
Peso slides past 58 vs $1 on corruption woes
by
mANiLA — the Philippine peso weakened to its lowest level in nearly two months on thursday, slipping past the 58 mark against the U.s. dollar, as a corruption probe into government flood control projects stirred fresh political unease.
the local currency closed at 58.10, down 63.9 centavos from the previous day and its weakest finish since Aug. 1, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. earlier in the session, it touched 58.17 before trimming losses.
trading was brisk, with $2.1 billion changing hands, compared with $1.7 billion the day before.
the peso’s slide pushed it beyond the marcos administration’s assumed exchange rate range of 56 to 58 for the year, a level that underpins fiscal forecasts and budget planning.
multiple headwinds Jonathan ravelas, senior adviser at reyes tacandong & co., said the peso faces multiple headwinds, from a graft probe into state flood control projects to rising political noise in indonesia and thailand that could weigh on regional risk sentiment, as well as lingering global trade tensions.
he noted the currency’s slide
past 58 per dollar could signal further weakness ahead. “the breach of the 58 level puts 58.50 and 59 at risk,” ravelas said.
A trader shared the same view, saying the peso’s weakness stemmed from “political unrest due to the congressional inquiry on the flood control scandal.”
cautious U.s fed over in the West, the U.s. dollar gained ground after federal reserve chair Jerome Powell struck a cautious tone on rate cuts, saying the American central bank still needs to balance competing risks of high inflation and a softening job market.
A slower easing in the U.s may put pressure on the peso and other emerging-market currencies, as higher yields keep capital parked in dollar assets. the market leaned heavily on a stronger U.s. dollar backdrop,” another trader said. “firm U.s
data, higher treasury yields and elevated oil prices combined to fuel safe-haven demand for dollars.”
Underperformer in a commentary, Arindam chakraborty, an economist at ANZ research, said the peso has been an underperformer in the region this quarter even as the fed resumed its easing run this month, citing the country’s bloated import bill that continues to drive dollar outflows.
“Despite the fed resuming its rate-cutting cycle, the currency has not been able to strengthen materially this quarter. A key reason for this is likely the large balance of payments deficit incurred by the Philippines this year,” chakraborty wrote. over the medium term, we expect moderate gains for the peso, as it remains constricted by a wide goods trade deficit,” he added. n
Denials issued by officials, lawmakers tagged in flood mess
mANiLA — A wave of denials followed a former public works undersecretary’s senate Blue ribbon testimony linking lawmakers and other officials to flood control project anomalies, with executive secretary Lucas Bersamin declaring his “untarnished record as a longserving public servant, first as a career judicial officer and now as the executive secretary.” “I deny the imputation contained in the sworn statement of (former) DPWH undersecretary (Roberto) Bernardo submitted to the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee about the delivery of ‘agreed 15 percent commitment’ supposedly for the Office of the Executive Secretary (OES). The imputation is not true,” Bersamin said in a statement.
In the first place, the OES has no involvement in any way with budgetary allocations relevant to the DPWH,” he added, referring to the Department of Public Works and highways.
According to Bersamin, his office has no dealings with either Bernardo or education Undersecretary trygve olaivar, who himself has denied the allegations made by Bernardo.
Aside from Bernardo’s testimony, rep. martin romualdez also decried a testimony from a surprise presented by sen. rodante marcoleta. he was referring to former marine master sergeant orly regala Guteza.
romualdez called Guteza’s testimony that he delivered suitcases containing cash to the lawmaker’s residence was “outright and complete fabrication.”
“I was deeply surprised to hear the allegation raised against me today before the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee— that several pieces of luggage supposedly containing money were ever delivered to a residence associated with me,” romualdez said in a statement.
he called Guteza’s testimony nothing more than a desperate attempt to link me to supposed kickbacks where none exist. Pilit na pilit (it’s quite a stretch).” romualdez said that the “most telling flaw” was the witness’ claim that deliveries were made to his mcKinley home beginning December 2024. “That is impossible. That property has been under renovation since January 2024 and was unoccupied except for construction workers. Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus—false in one thing, false in everything,” romualdez said . romualdez said implicating him in the flood control kickbacks is clearly political and the product of coaching. I will not let this pass. I repeat: I have never received or benefited from kickbacks in any infrastructure project. I have never authorized, instructed, or allowed anyone to engage in any conduct that would betray the people or taint my name,” romualdez said.
sen. francis escudero and some of his colleagues dragged into the controversy also denied Bernardo’s allegations.
“I vehemently deny the malicious allegations and innuendos made by former DPWH Usec. Roberto Bernardo in (yesterday’s) Senate Blue Ribbon Committee,” escudero said.
It seems like there is a wellorchestrated plan to attack the Senate and its members to destroy and discredit the institution and to divert the public’s attention from the real perpetrators,” he said.
“For more than 27 years in public service, I have never once been charged with corruption. That record speaks for itself. I believe that when all the facts are revealed, my name and my service will remain untarnished,” he added.
former senator ramon revilla Jr., in a statement through the DivinaLaw office, “condemns the allegations raised by former DPWH Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo during today’s Senate hearing.” he said “they are absolutely untrue.” revilla vowed to cooperate with the investigation “to shed light on the truth.” It is not in his character to shy away, hide from, or evade challenges. Mr. Revilla is one with the public in demanding accountability. He will not allow sinister forces to use his good name to thwart that end. He will face this head-on,” the statement read.
Benguet rep. eric Go Yap also categorically denied allegations against him. “I have never accepted, nor authorized, the delivery of money in connection with flood control projects. These claims are untrue,” the former Act-cis party-list congressman insisted.
As a public servant, I am accountable to the people. That is why I welcome the chance to face the witness who implicated me, but in the proper forum and under proceedings where my constitutional rights are respected,” he said.
“I owe it to my constituents, my family, and the Filipino people to clear my name in the right way,” Yap added. Yap used to head the house ap- propriations committee, when sen. Alan Peter cayetano was speaker in 2019. olaivar said he will take a leave of absence and cooperate with pro- ceedings.
“Undersecretary Olaivar has informed me he will be taking a leave from DepEd,” education sonny Angara said on X. (Philstar.com)
former senator Nancy Binay said she was “shocked and saddened that she was dragged into the DPWH anomalies – while she is quietly working as Makati mayor – to divert the issue from the real perpetrators.
Palace activates national disaster response...
With Typhoon Opong expected to make landfall in the country on Friday, September 26, the DOH has raised the Code White Alert,” the Doh said in a social media post.
Under the code White Alert, the Doh operations center ensures medicines and medical equipment are available. it also requires health emergency response teams to be ready in serving residents in typhoon-hit regions.
the Doh added the three Philippine emergency medi-
cal Assistance teams (PemAt) recognized by the World health organization, are also placed on standby in case their assistance is needed in any hospital that will be affected by opong.
PNP is ready
Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Lt. Gen. Jose melencio Nartatez Jr. yesterday ordered police commanders in Bicol, eastern Visayas, calabarzon, mimaropa and metro manila to be on alert and ensure full coordination with LGUs and disaster management offices in preparation for the in-
coming storm. From preemptive evacuation to search and rescue operations, our personnel on the ground are ready to respond to any request for assistance and any eventuality,” Nartatez said.
Police forces in the five regions will also secure evacuation centers, assist in the distribution of relief assistance and help clear road net- works to ensure the smooth flow of relief aid. (With reports from Emmanuel Tupas, Jose Rodel Clapano, Rhodina Villanueva)
P457M cash withdrawals put Land Bank...
line with government instructions and legal requirements. No charges have been filed against LandBank officials in relation to the withdrawals, while the Blue
ribbon committee and law enforcement agencies continue to investigate.
the case underscores how large-scale government disbursements are vulnerable to diversion
without stronger safeguards. senators said the probe aims not only to trace accountability in the flood-control controversy but also to tighten financial controls over public infrastructure spending. n
Why the Philippines is critical to European security?
states to safeguard an open, secure, and rules-based international order.
the Philippines as a critical link much like france, the Philippines is uniquely positioned to serve as a critical link between the indo-Pacific and europe’s security landscapes.
sitting at the heart of the indo-Pacific, the Philippines is more than a bystander—it is a strategic actor astride vital trade routes through which significant european exports and imports flow. it is home to submarine cables that connect major economic players such as the United states, the european Union and Japan.
it also offers hard-earned experience in building resilience against asymmetric threats: from pursuing and upholding the 2016 Arbitral Award to counter lawfare and coercion, to adopting a transparency strategy that has rallied international support and effectively countered chinese narratives blaming the Philippines for
tensions in the south china sea. equally crucial is its growing network of alliances. in recent years, manila has deepened ties through bilateral, minilateral and multilateral arrangements.
most recently, on september 16, the United Kingdom formally expressed its desire to enter into a status of Visiting forces Agreement with the Philippines. this comes on the heels of the reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, defense cooperation arrangement with Germany, the Visiting forces Agreement with New Zealand, and ongoing negotiations with canada and france.
Another clear demonstration of the Philippines’ pivotal role was the most recent Balikatan 2025 exercises, which brought together not only the Philippines and the United states but also partners such as Australia, canada, Japan, south Korea, india, Vietnam, indonesia, Brunei, colombia and singapore, along with european nations including france, the United Kingdom, the czech re-
public, Germany, Lithuania, Poland and the Netherlands Looking ahead, manila’s chairmanship of AseAN in 2026 presents another opportunity to assert itself as a leader in shaping regional security and economic cooperation. should it succeed in its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN security council for 2027–2028, it would further solidify its commitment to multilateralism. in an era when asymmetric threats continue to test the resilience of states and alliances, the Philippines is well positioned to serve as a vital link between the euro-Atlantic and indo-Pacific theaters, owing to its strategic location, its experience in standing up to an aggressive actor, its steadily expanding network of alliances, and, above all, its steadfast commitment to the rulesbased international order.
* *
*
Linar-Mae Orbista is a program and research manager for defense and security at think tank Stratbase Institute.
ian niCoLas P. CigaRaL Inquirer.net
Inquirer.net file photo
SECURED. A large tarpaulin hanging from a footbridge along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City is folded on Wednesday (Sept. 24, 2025). It serves as a precautionary measure in case tropical cyclone Opong hits Metro Manila. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” Family Code §760
This becomes a problem if you are the spouse that has the substantially higher income or the one who accumulates the majority of the assets during the marriage.
You are called in family law lingo “the in spouse.” The other spouse (or in our lingo also called the “out spouse” gets a half interest on everything accumulated during the marriage even if the asset is under your name alone or it was accumulated solely due to your sweat and hard work. The out spouse, who stayed at home most of the marriage, gets a one half interest on all the accumulations during the marriage under California community property law. For example, if you opened a savings account during the marriage under your name alone for which you religiously and diligently stash away 25% of your earnings during the marriage while your spouse blows away his/ her salary during the marriage, your spouse still gets a half interest in the money you saved in your savings account. Another example would be if you purchase a piece of real property during the marriage under “your name alone” and have your spouse sign a “quit claim” deed, your spouse may still have a claim for a half interest in your real property. Another example would be if you owned a business prior to marriage, but due to your hard work, long hours of labor, and efforts, the business grew exponentially during the marriage, your spouse may still have a claim for an interest in the business.
Signing a premarital agreement may serve as added protection to the future “in spouse” and a hurdle for the future “out spouse” by avoiding or altering the applicability of California community property law to assets 1) already owned by each and 2) to property and income to be acquired or earned during their marriage. Marriage of Dawley (1976) 17 C3d 342, 349, 131 CR 3, 7; Marriage of Grinius (1985) 166 CA3d 1179, 1186, 212 CR 803, 807. Premarital agreements may validly provide that the earnings and accumulations of each party during marriage will remain that party’s separate property, free of any claims, community property or otherwise, of the other party. Marriage of Dawley, supra, 17 C3d at 350, 131 CR at 8; Cheney v. City & County of San Francisco Employees Retirement System (1936) 7 C2d 565, 569, 61 P2d 754, 756. Premarital agreements may also serve to preserve a person’s estate for his or her heirs, free of the other party’s inheritance claims. Estate of Wamack (1955) 137 CA2d 112, 115, 289 P2d 871, 872. Pursuant to Family Code §1612(c), “Parties to a premarital agreement may contract with respect to all of the following: (1) The rights and obligations of each of the parties in any of the property of either or both of them whenever and wherever acquired or located; (2) The right to buy, sell, use, transfer, exchange, abandon, lease, consume, expend, assign, create a security interest in, mortgage, encumber, dispose of, or otherwise manage and control property; (3) The disposition of property upon separation, marital dissolution, death, or the occurrence or nonoccurrence of any other event; (4) The making of a will, trust, or other arrangement to carry out the provisions of the agreement; (5) The ownership rights in and disposition of the death benefit from a life insurance policy; (6) The choice of law governing the construction of the agreement; (7) Any other matter, including their personal rights and obligations, not in violation of public policy or a statute imposing a criminal penalty. However, the right of a child to support may not be adversely affected. Family Code §1612(b) Premarital agreements that are
entered into voluntarily by parties who are each represented by independent counsel and aware of the effect of the agreement, a post 1985 premarital waiver of post dissolution support does not offend contemporary public policy and is not per se unenforceable.
Fam.C. § 1612(c); Marriage of Pendleton & Fireman (2000) 24 C4th 39, 53–54, 99 CR2d 278, 288–289; Marriage of Facter (2013) 212 CA4th 967, 981, 152 CR3d 79, 90
Under both the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act and prior law, the spouse claiming the agreement is invalid or not enforceable bears the burden of proof on that allegation. Family Code. § 1615(a); Marriage of Bonds, supra, 24 C4th at 27, 99 CR2d at 269; Marriage of Iverson (1992) 11 CA4th 1495, 1502, 15 CR2d 70, 74–75; However, the UPAA (as amended effective 1/1/02) deems that a premarital agreement was not executed voluntarily unless the court makes five prescribed findings provided for under Family Code. § 1615(c):
(1) The party against whom enforcement is sought was represented by independent legal counsel at the time of signing the agreement or, after being advised to seek independent legal counsel, expressly waived, in a separate writing, representation by independent legal counsel. The advisement to seek independent legal counsel shall be made at least seven calendar days before the final agreement is signed.
(2) One of the following:
(A) For an agreement executed between January 1, 2002, and January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and advised to seek independent legal counsel and the time the agreement was signed. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(B) For an agreement executed on or after January 1, 2020, the party against whom enforcement is sought had not less than seven calendar days between the time that party was first presented with the final agreement and the time the agreement was signed, regardless of whether the party is
IN previous columns, we wrote that soft drinks (which I call “liquid candy”), cola or uncola, diet or regular, or in any other form, are, by and large, unhealthy, especially for children. Not only because the regular ones are loaded with sugar (high carbo, super calories), but because of the other adverse effects the ingredients in these soft drinks (without exception!) have on people’s health.
Even those with artificial sweeteners in diet drinks, the phosphoric acid in them ruins tooth enamel, weakens bones by interfering with absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium, minerals in general, and poses hazards to the kidneys and the gastrointestinal tract. Soft drinks also increase the risk for metabolic syndrome, especially among children. In short, soft drinks are poisonous!
Phosphoric acid is commonly used in cleaning products as chelating, rust-proofing, pickling metals. Because it is corrosive, I use cola beverage for draining my clogged drains, or for cleansing toilet bowls.
Ravi Dhingra, MD, clinical instructor in medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, reported that “both diet and regular soft drinks have brutally high acid levels.”
“Drinking more than one soda a day - regular or diet - appears to increase the risk factors for heart disease,” the Framingham Heart Study researchers emphasized.
The following findings of the Harvard research, which we are quoting in full, are a most convincing confirmation and re-affirmation of the other clinical studies in the past of children soft drink consumers to their adulthood:
Harvard Medical School researcher Ravi Dhingra, MD, and study colleagues looked at nearly 6,000 middle-aged men and women who had exams every four years. At the outset, all were free of heart disease and metabolic syndrome. Four years later, in comparison to people who drank less than one soft drink a day, researchers found that those who consumed one or
“Liquid Candy”: Unhealthy
more sodas a day experienced:
A 25% increased risk of impaired (or higher than normal) fasting glucose and high triglyceride levels.
A 31% greater likelihood of becoming obese.
A 32% higher chance of lower HDL levels.
A 44% increased risk of metabolic syndrome. These results were published in Circulation Journal of the American Heart Association.
Dr. Dhingra and his colleagues were surprised that regular and diet soft drinks posed similar risks for metabolic syndrome - which remained the case even when the study was adjusted for dietary factors such as saturated and trans fats, calorie and fiber consumption and levels of physical activity. There are several theories as to why this might be - perhaps the extreme sweetness of soft drinks makes people more apt to eat sweet foods, or the caramel content may promote insulin resistance and inflammation. To others though it is now obvious that high acidic levels will help cause these symptoms.
Drinking soft drinks of any kind has been linked to the development of obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis, lowered calcium and potassium level, heart disease, high blood pressure, metabolic syndrome, dental cavities and nutritional depletion. There is also a claim that it may have an adverse effect on conception. These liquid candies also contain caffeine which could disrupt sleep and lead to anxiety and DNA damage and hyperactivity, especially among children.
The prevalence of obesity among Americans doubled between 1977 to 2001 and this trend was paralleled by a doubling of the consumption of soft drinks. An increase in the body mass index (BMI) of 0.24 kg/ meter square was found among children for each (ONE!) soft drink they consumed. Studies on adults (50,000 female nurses on one study) revealed that drinkers of even one can of soft drink led to weight gain, and increased blood sugar among diabetics.
One study reported this interesting finding: “One four-week
experiment compared a 450 calorie/day supplement of sugar-sweetened soft drinks to a 450 calorie/day supplement of jelly beans. The jelly bean supplement did not lead to weight gain, but the soft drink supplement did. The likely reason for the difference in weight gain is that people who consumed the jelly beans lowered their caloric intake at subsequent meals while people who consumed soft drinks did not. Thus, the low levels of satiety provided by sugar-sweetened soft drinks may explain their association with obesity. That is, people may who consume calories in sugar-sweetened beverages may fail to adequately reduce their intake of calories from other sources.”
One alarming report: “In 2003, the Delhi non-profit Centre for Science and Environment published a disputed report finding pesticide levels in Coke and Pepsi soft drinks sold in India at levels 30 times that considered safe by the European Economic Commission.”
Another study showed that those subjects who consumed soft drinks had lower bone mineral density, placing them at increased risk of suffering, not only osteoporosis but bone fractures. More scary is the increased risk for the development of metabolic syndrome (a group of conditions that include type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, obesity, high blood fat, low level of good cholesterol). It is our government’s role and responsibility to protect our children by not allowing our schools, public or private, to have vending machines that sell soft drinks and other unhealthy products, much like outlawing the vending machines that used to sell cigarettes. The Departments of Health and Education and other agencies concerned, as MAHA Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, jr., has proclaimed, must also ensure that all schools require a course in nutrition for all students and offer only healthy menus in their cafeteria. This makes sense. After all, a healthy citizenry translates into a healthy nation.
Cerritos recommits to economic growth with business-friendly policies
Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama highlights the city’s pro-business policies, as longtime firms expand and new food businesses open amid the revival of the Economic Development Commission.
CERRITOS, Calif. — Cerritos
officials underscored their commitment to strengthening the city’s economy by reviving the Economic Development Commission and celebrating both longtime companies and new businesses investing in the community. The initiatives align with Strategic Plan Goal
Four: Strengthen Economic Development, which Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama highlighted in his latest Mayor’s Report.
The five-member commission, formally reestablished by ordinance in June and reconvened earlier this month, serves as an advisory body to the City Council on the needs of existing businesses and the pursuit of new opportunities.
Mayor Yokoyama said its revival ensures that Cerritos continues to provide an environment where established enterprises can thrive while new ventures are encouraged.
In recent weeks, Cerritos has celebrated milestones with two institutions that have long been part of the city’s economic fabric. On Aug. 27, Golden Star Technology, Inc. (GST) marked its 40th anniversary with a grand re-opening at its Cerritos headquarters. Founded in 1985 and based in the city since 1992, GST showcased new warehouse space and improved employee amenities, a clear sign of its continuing investment in the community.
The following day, on Aug. 28, city officials gathered for a ribbon cutting at the new headquarters of the Alliance of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Programs (ASCIP) on Park Plaza Drive. Established in 1980 and operating as a risksharing pool since 1985, ASCIP has grown into a nonprofit joint powers authority that provides insurance and risk management services to schools and educational agencies throughout California. The move to Cerritos strengthens its
capacity to serve its statewide membership while reinforcing its presence in the city.
Cerritos’ dining and retail scene is also expanding. Chubby Cattle, a Wagyu barbecue restaurant, recently opened at 11203 183rd St. in Plaza 183. Looking ahead, Tokyo Central/ Marukai is planned for the former Pacific Sales site in the Cerritos Towne Center, a project previewed during the mayor’s State of the City address in June. Both ventures add to the city’s roster of international markets and dining destinations.
Together, the revival of the commission, the reinvestment of longtime companies, and the arrival of new restaurants illustrate how Cerritos’ business-friendly policies are shaping its economic future. City leaders say the combination of stable anchors and fresh ventures strengthens the fabric of the community and positions Cerritos as a place where businesses can continue to grow.
About Cerritos
The City of Cerritos, located in southeastern Los Angeles County, is a master-planned community of roughly 50,000
residents. Incorporated in 1956 as Dairy Valley, the city transitioned from agricultural land to a hub of suburban growth and was renamed Cerritos in 1967.
Today, Cerritos is recognized for its strong business climate, award-winning schools, cultural institutions, and extensive park system. Anchored by the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts and the Cerritos Towne Center, the city has become both a residential community and a regional commercial destination.
Cerritos is also notable for its all-Asian American City Council, reflecting the city’s demographic profile, where Asian Americans make up a majority of the population. This leadership has become a source of local pride and is seen as a milestone in the broader story of Asian American civic participation in Southern California.
The city has consistently pursued policies to attract investment while maintaining a high quality of life, underscored by its long-standing commitment to strategic planning, fiscal stability, and economic development.
These California desert communities are seeing a gold rush
by AJPress
PALM SPRINGS, Calif. —
New wealth is flowing into the Coachella Valley, reshaping desert cities from Palm Springs to Rancho Mirage. Affluent buyers, often paying in cash, are driving income growth and fueling luxury development even as the broader housing market cools. Nationally, nearly one in three homes is bought without a mortgage, and local agents say the trend is especially visible in resort areas.
Rising incomes
Working-class cities are also catching up: Coachella’s income climbed from about $40,000 in 2020 to $67,558 in 2023, a 68% jump. Cathedral City rose 13% over the same period, while La Quinta gained 9%.
Disney’s Cotino effect Rancho Mirage has become the focal point of the Valley’s new building wave. Disney’s Cotino community, a 1,900-home project built around a 24-acre lagoon, welcomed its first residents this year. Homes are priced from the upper $1 millions, and city officials expect the project to attract retirees and second-home buyers seeking lifestyle amenities.
The latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates show median household income at $145,313 in Indian Wells, $109,943 in Rancho Mirage, $97,628 in La Quinta, and $71,979 in Palm Springs.
What it means for the Valley Developers and local leaders frame the surge as a long-term economic opportunity, citing job creation and higher tax revenues. Yet housing advocates warn of affordability pressures and note ongoing disputes tied to displaced mobile-home residents near Cotino.
The Coachella Valley is splitting into two tracks: wealthy enclaves such as Indian Wells and Rancho Mirage consolidating their high-income profile, and cities like Coachella posting the fastest percentage gains from a lower base. With cash buyers and marquee projects reshaping the landscape, the desert’s transformation is only accelerating.
PHILCONGEN LA learns about marine conservation at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
SAN PEDRO, CA, 20 September 2025 – In observance of Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month 2025 (MANAMo 2025), the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles,represented by its personnel and their children toured the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium to raise awareness and appreciation for marine conservation, especially in the youth. Participants experienced marine life and explored coastal habitats through hands-on exhibits, and were encouraged to examine specimens with real scientific tools. In the aquatic nursery, which also served as a living laboratory, attendees were able to observe marine scientists caring for young sea animals.
Amazing Jigo Postolero of DWAR Abante Radyo
It was not my first time to be invited as a guest on DWAR Abante Radyo’s Jigo Live with my cousin, photographer-entrepreneur Jamin Constantino Lim. Returning to the Bilyonaryo News Channel compound on P. Tuazon Blvd. in Cubao, I was glad to see broadcasteractor Jigo Postolero once again. Postolero was recently honored as Outstanding Online Radio Host at the 3rd Philippines Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers. The award underscores his skill as a media practitioner and his passion for engaging listeners through programs that balance information with entertainment.
With a career spanning traditional and digital platforms, Jigo has become a versatile broadcaster known for tackling issues ranging from petty crimes and national affairs to political controversies. His work as cohost of P! Kwentong Politiko alongside respected journalists, and his earlier stint on i-Abante Mo! with former journalist Sol Aragones, highlight his reputation for meaningful conversations that resonate with ordinary Filipinos.
Eskultura IV at Museo Orlina Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City is presenting Eskultura IV: Steampunk a group exhibition running until November 28, 2025. The show features eight sculptors whose works interpret the imaginative world of steampunk—a genre blending mechanical ingenuity with speculative design.
While steampunk is often associated with industrial metals and gears, the exhibition pushes creative boundaries by incorporating wood, resin, fabric, glass, clay, and repurposed objects. Filipino artists reimagine the genre through local context, sustainability, and inventive storytelling, offering a uniquely Filipino take on steampunk sculpture.
Energetic MCC Basketeers Mabalacat City College (MCC) in Pampanga proudly competed in the United Central Luzon Athletic Association (UCLAA) tournament.
The team, coached by Ron David and Homer Pascual, included players Prince Ramos, Dariel
Sison, Justine Bulasco, Dwayne Wade Calma, John Ashley Dungca, Johncarlo Rosete, Kim Sison Arcilla, Christian Mariano, Joab Alonzo, Justine Capitulo, Aaron Pabustan, Christian Cunan, Jasper Layos, Kristian Clein Alfonso, and Jhunny Dela Cerna.
Two of these promising athletes—Johncarlo Rosete and Kim Sison Arcilla—are also my fourth-year BSOA students in Customer Analytics. Elia Ilano in Magkapatid and Teresa Congratulations to Elia Ilano on the successful premiere of Magkapatid Dreamers in Tandem, where she and Adrian Cabrido portray siblings confronting bullying.
Also screened was Teresa, an International Children’s Peace Prize short film about a young girl determined to pursue engineering, a field traditionally dominated by men.
Gary Kebbel’s Public Lecture
American journalist and University of Nebraska–Lincoln professor emeritus Gary Kebbel recently delivered a public lecture in Manila on the impact of technology on journalism. He emphasized that journalists today must adapt to a media landscape where audiences wield more power, stressing the importance of online engagement, constant
updates, and audience feedback. Kebbel warned that when traditional journalism fails to evolve, it risks losing its ability to connect and unite communities.
Among those present were Ateneo de Manila University Dean of Social Sciences Dr. Czarina SalomaAkpedonu, ADMU Department of Communication Chair Dr. Christine Anne R. Cox, Camille Conde of the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Public Affairs Office, and Gurdit Singh, the Embassy’s Regional Strategic Communication Officer.
A Reunion with Connie Garcia I was delighted to see again Connie Guanzon-Garcia, wife of Ambassador Victor Garcia, former Chief of Protocol of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
I fondly recall when she and her husband invited me to the Kansai region of Japan, where we were joined by Masako Sumiya, wife of the Chief of Protocol at the Imperial Palace. Those memories of Kobe—such a beautiful city— remain with me from my years as a correspondent for the Japan Times and columnist for the Japan Times Weekly
Guests at Rise and Shine Pilipinas
An unforgettable early morning came when I joined Bhylinn Delizo Sarmiento of Bhylinn’s Modern Fashion and Roman Gerard Sare of Biosafe Pest Control Services on PTV’s award-winning Rise and
Shine Pilipinas. We were invited to share our stories as honorees of the 3rd Philippines Finest Business Awards and Outstanding Achievers.
Special thanks to Ms. Lalaine G. of La Visual Corp., who ensured that every awardee’s interview was handled with care.
Pa Ikot Ikot Lang Exhibit
I caught the final day of Pa Ikot Ikot Lang, an art exhibit by veteran actor and painter Pen Medina at Gateway Gallery, Araneta City, Cubao.
Pen, currently seen on ABSCBN’s FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, was supported at the exhibit opening by actor Coco Martin, who expressed full solidarity for the veteran artist.
Food Show
At the recent ASEAN Tourism, Culture, Arts, and Food Show, I met Rose Paz C. Narvaja-Cornista of the DFA Special Projects Unit. She shared news of an upcoming international food bazaar and warmly invited me to attend. She also introduced me to DFA colleagues Jill del Rosario-Gardose and Jeremie Obra, as well as Nakeesha Marie Cacho of
Cup Coffee.
impoverished families and children of Paliparan, Cavite, in the Philippines. At 82, she is still actively raising funds and putting up projects to help people experiencing poverty, such as providing college scholarships to deserving students. When I called her a few months ago, she told me she was organizing a nutrition program for poor children in a public school. These children attend school with empty stomachs because their families cannot even afford to provide them with a nutritious breakfast.
“How would they learn if they come to school hungry?” I told Sister. “Even we adults would find it hard to comprehend any subject on an empty stomach,” I added.
“That’s precisely the point,” Sister told me. “We can put a nutrition program—a well-balanced breakfast before attending classes.”
“I’ll help you to raise money from here,” I told Sister.
A few weeks ago, she sent me pictures of children enjoying a healthy breakfast before school. The kids enjoyed nutritious food with protein, milk, fiber, and minerals. After a month, Sister proudly shared with me that the children looked healthy and engaged well in their studies. Friends, projects like this nutrition program for needy children bring us joy and hope. I hope that there are many more people like my friend and her supporters who continue to find ways to feed hungry children.
This Sunday’s Gospel on the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus makes us think about how we’re helping the poor around us. Do we look the other way
on those who are suffering from hunger and homelessness? Do we feast on our wealth and are not concerned with the needs of our poor neighbors? Are some of our financial resources committed to helping projects to end poverty and hunger and provide healthcare for all? In other words, is part of our budget assisting those in need?
One of the sins we all need to reflect on is the sin of omission. Many of us are not aware that we’re committing this grave sin. This is fundamentally connected to the words of Jesus, Matthew 25:35-40:
“For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited me in; I needed clothes, and you clothed me; I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison, and you came to visit me.” Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?” The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did it to me.” I cannot emphasize enough the importance of helping those experiencing poverty. Assisting those in need is not merely an option; it is a mandate from Jesus. It signifies what it means to be a faithful Christian and serves as a pathway to eternal life. We do not want to be like the rich man in today’s Gospel who regretted not helping Lazarus, his poor neighbor. While on earth, this rich man was dressed in purple garments and fine linen, dining sumptuously each day, while his neighbor Lazarus lay at his door, covered in sores, longing for scraps that fell from his table. When this rich man died, he found himself in the torment of hell, while Lazarus, who also died, was enjoying the
Cerritos Mayor Frank Aurelio Yokoyama
Photo courtesy City of Cerritos social media account
Lifted
(From left, standing) Coach Ron David, Coach Homer Pascual, Prince Ramos, Dariel Sison, Justine Bulasco, Dwayne Wade Calma, John Ashley Dungca, Johncarlo Rosete, Kim Sison Arcilla, and Christian Mariano; (from left, seated) Joab Alonzo, Justine Capitulo, Aaron Pabustan, Christian Cunan, Jasper Layos, Kristian Clein Alfonso, and Jhunny Dela Cerna.
(From left) Rogelio Constantino Medina, Jigo Postolero and Jamin Lim.
Escultura IV Steampunk exhibition at Museo Orlina in Tagaytay City until November 28, 2025.
Connie Guanzon-Garcia with Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina.
(From left) Ateneo de Manila University’s Dean of Social Sciences Dr. Czarina Saloma-Akpedonu, Gurdit Singh, Gary Kebbel, ADMU’s Chair of the Department of Communication Dr. Christine Anne R. Cox, and Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina At Cinema ‘76 Film Society in Quezon City, from left: real brother Ximone James Sedrick Ilano, Elia Ilano and reel brother Adrian Cabrido.
Artist Pen Medina (left) and Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina.
PTV’s Rise and Shine Pilipinas hosts Ryan Lesigues and Audrey Gorriceta interview guests Rogelio Constantino Medina, Bhylinn Delizo Sarmiento and Roman Gerard Sare.
(From left) Rose Paz C. Narvaja-Cornista, Nakeesha Marie Cacho, Jill Del Rosario-Gardose, Jeremie Obra, and Rogelio Constantino Medina.
LOS ANGELES
Filipino trans designer Veejay Floresca wins ‘Project Runway’ Season 21
by Kristofer PurNell Philstar.com
MANILA — Filipina designer
Veejay Floresca has been named winner of “Project Runway” Season 21, becoming the first openly trans person and the first of Filipino descent to come out on top of the fashion reality competition.
Veejay bested 11 other designers on “Project Runway” Season 21, 17 years after competing in the inaugural Philippine edition of the show.
As champion, Veejay takes home a $200,000 (P11.6 million) cash prize, six months of representation by Agentry PR, a mentorship with the Council of Fashion Designers of America, and a spread in “Elle” magazine.
Her winning collection featured metallic looks, capped by a draped chainmail gown.
Joining her in the Top 3 were fellow designers and returning contestants Jesus Estrada (a contestant from the show’s seventh season) and Ethan Mundt, more popularly known as “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 13 contestant Utica Queen.
“I came here with the goal to be the first trans woman to win this competition, and I think that will really inspire my community that you can actually reach your dreams by being who you are,” said Veejay.
Filipino trans designer Veejay Floresca Photo from
Her win capped a banner day for Filipinos, coming after Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez’s victory on “America’s Got Talent” Season 20 and Kirk Bondad’s Mister International title, the country’s second. The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde graduate in fashion design and merchandising previously competed on “Project Runway Philippines” Season 1 in 2008. She reached the finale and finished third behind Philipp Tampus and
winner Aries Lagat. She is also known for appearing in a viral video with four of her friends reacting to Venus Raj’s 4th runner-up finish in Miss Universe 2010. The trans designer moved to Los Angeles and centered her craft on sustainable materials, establishing her own bridal wear brand. She also competed in Miss Trans Star International 2022 and another fashion competition series, “Dress My Tour.”
Pechanga Resort Casino welcomes autumn with $375,000 Harvest Moon promotions
TEMECULA, CA — As autumn arrives, Pechanga Resort Casino is celebrating the season with its Harvest Moon promotional series throughout October, promising guests multiple chances to win cash prizes and EasyPlay rewards. The month-long celebration combines special drawing events with weekly opportunities for hundreds of winners.
Pechanga Resort Casino will host three special Harvest Moon drawing events on Fridays, October 3, 17, and 31, giving guests three opportunities throughout the month to win $100,000 in cash, plus hundreds of Easyplay winners, totaling $375,000. Players can earn entries from October 1-31 through regular gaming activities, with winners announced during each Friday evening celebration. Guests must be present to win during the drawing events.
Adding to the October excitement, Pechanga Resort Casino is continuing its popular Swipe to Win promotion every Tuesday in October. From 12PM to 10PM, attendees are encouraged to visit the promotional area for instant win chances to win up to $5,000 in EasyPlay rewards. Join The Club at Pechanga for more details.
The Harvest Moon promotion series reflects Pechanga Resort Casino’s commitment to providing engaging entertainment that extends beyond traditional gaming, creating memorable experiences for guests throughout the fall season.
About Pechanga Resort Casino Pechanga Resort Casino offers one of the largest and most expansive resort/casino experiences anywhere in the United States.
Voted the best resort/casino in America by Condé Nast Traveler and rated a Four Diamond property by AAA since 2002, Pechanga Resort Casino provides an unparalleled getaway, whether for the day or for an extended luxury stay. Offering more than 5,500 of the hottest slots, table games, world-class entertainment, 1,100 hotel rooms, dining, spa and championship golf at Journey at Pechanga, Pechanga Resort Casino features an unrivaled destination in California. Pechanga Resort Casino is owned and operated by the Pechanga Band of Indians. For more information, call toll free 1-888-PECHANGA or visit www.Pechanga.com. Follow Pechanga Resort Casino on Facebook, on Instagram and on X @PechangaCasino. Pechanga Resort Casino is open 24 hours. Guests must be 21 and older to enter the casino.
Do I need a premarital agreement...
PAGE 9
represented by legal counsel. This requirement does not apply to nonsubstantive amendments that do not change the terms of the agreement.
(3) The party against whom enforcement is sought, if unrepresented by legal counsel, was fully informed of the terms and basic effect of the agreement as well as the rights and obligations the party was giving up by signing the agreement, and was proficient in the language in which the explanation of the party’s rights was conducted and in which the agreement was written. The explanation of the rights and obligations relinquished shall be memorialized in writing and delivered to the party prior to signing the agreement.
The unrepresented party shall, on or before the signing of the premarital agreement, execute a document declaring that the party received the information required by this paragraph and indicating who provided that information.
(4) The agreement and the writings executed pursuant to
PAGE 10
paragraphs (1) and (3) were not executed under duress, fraud, or undue influence, and the parties did not lack capacity to enter into the agreement.
(5) Any other factors the court deems relevant.
A premarital agreement may be unenforceable if found to be unconscionable when it was executed and the requisite disclosures were lacking and not waived Additionally, a spousal support provision in a premarital agreement executed under the UPAA, whether before or after January 1, 2002, is not enforceable if found to be unconscionable at the time of enforcement. Family Code § 1612(c). If you are the higher earning spouse and have assets to protect, it is important to seek the representation of experienced counsel in drafting a premarital agreement to make sure that all statutory requirement are met which increases the likelihood that your premarital agreement will be deemed enforceable when attacked in court in case of a divorce.
* * *
Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC. This article is not a solicitation.
*
* * Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 3881611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)
vital mandate of assisting... bliss of heaven. The rich man then
Julia Barretto linked by rumors to businessman Lucas Lorenzo after Gerald Anderson split
by AJPress
MANILA — Actress Julia Barretto is once again in the spotlight as rumors circulate online linking her to young businessman Lucas Lorenzo following her recent breakup with actor Gerald Anderson.
Clips and reels spreading on Facebook, Instagram, and entertainment pages claim that Barretto has found new romance in Lorenzo, who serves as chief executive officer of RestaurantConcepts Group, Inc. Some posts directly describe him as her “new boyfriend,” while others present the speculation as an open question.
The buzz picked up after business outlet Bilyonaryo featured Lorenzo’s background and family connections. The Lorenzo clan is a well-established business family with interests in restaurants and agribusiness. Lucas is the brother of Basti Lorenzo, who is married to Julia’s sister Claudia, and of Mateo Lorenzo, who is married to actress Erich Gonzales. Their father, Martin Ignacio Lorenzo, helped expand Pancake House before its acquisition and has been involved in Central Azucarera de Tarlac. Entertainment sources, however, have stressed that no confirmation has been made, quoting insiders who dismissed the reports, noting that the rumors may simply arise from familial and social ties rather than a budding romance. Both Barretto and Lorenzo have remained silent, offering no public statement on the speculation.
Barretto, who continues to pursue projects in film, television, and business, has long been a figure of fascination, with her private life often drawing as much attention as her career.
The current round of rumors highlights how quickly narratives spread in the era of reels
and viral posts, even without verification from the individuals involved.
For now, the supposed connection between Julia Barretto and Lucas Lorenzo remains firmly in the realm of rumor, amplified by social media but unverified by either party.
Julia Barretto
Photo from Facebook/@juliabarretto
Lucas Lorenzo Inquirer.net file photo Gerald Anderson Photo from Instagram/@andersongerald
Cal State LA to host 2025 FilAm Creative Film Festival, spotlighting Filipino American filmmakers and global voices in cinema
by AJPress
CAL State LA will serve as the
official host venue for the 2025 FilAm Creative Film Festival (FACFF), taking place at The Luckman Fine Arts Complex from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28.
Presented by FilAm Creative—a leading nonprofit organization committed to advancing unique voices in media and entertainment—the third annual FACFF returns for a second consecutive year at Cal State LA, offering a robust platform for impactful storytelling by filmmakers and artists from the Filipino American community and global creative communities.
“For decades, The Luckman has been a vital cultural hub, enriching the artistic life of Los Angeles with performances, exhibitions, and dialogue,” said Nicholas Mestas, executive director of The Luckman Fine Arts Complex. “Hosting the FilAm Film Festival in our theatre at Cal State LA, we carry that tra-
dition forward—using the power of cinema to celebrate heritage, foster connection, and inspire future filmmakers. We are empowering the next generation to bring their dreams into focus.”
Now in its 15th year as an organization, FilAm Creative continues to expand its mission of celebrating creativity, resilience, and artistry through cinema. This year’s program features 24 official selections across narrative features, documentaries, short films, and music videos. Spotlight screenings include The Flip Side by Rod Pulido, the first Filipino American feature film to premiere at Sundance; Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Michele Josue; Village Keeper, a feature-length debut film by Canadian director Karen Chapman; and Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World, a stop-motion animated sitcom created by Q. Allan Brocka. These films exemplify FACFF’s commitment to
bold, inclusive storytelling that resonates across audiences and borders.
“The FilAm Creative Film Festival brings our diverse narratives into focus—healing, inspiring, and empowering through moving pictures,” said Rovyn Bautista, festival director.
A returning highlight of FACFF is the FilAm Creations Competition, presented by Noble Creations. This time-limited filmmaking challenge invites participants to create a 5- to 7-minute original short film in just three weeks, incorporating a required theme, prop, and line of dialogue. The competition showcases the creativity, humor, and innovation of emerging talents.
In addition to screenings, the festival will feature a full slate of industry panels, filmmaker conversations, and networking events, offering attendees access to filmmakers, producers, scholars, and cultural leaders discussing such topics as global
media production, music, editing, and the future of storytelling. The festival will culminate in an Awards Gala, celebrating excellence in filmmaking through jury-selected and audience awards, as well as community impact honors. A curated panel of industry professionals will adjudicate the festival’s top prizes.
Hosting the festival at Cal State LA highlights the university’s commitment to experiential learning, student success, and cultural engagement.
“Cal State LA is the only university in the country where students gain hands-on experience planning and producing an industry-level film festival,” said Cal State LA alumnus Will Baker, who also serves as the university’s events manager.
“Hosting FilAm on our campus shows our students how transformative festivals can be—not only for filmmakers, but for the audiences and communities they touch. As a proud alumnus of
Remembering Carlos Bulosan this September Even in his death echoes telling and timely messages
LOS ANGELES – This September, the death anniversary month of famous Filipino writer and labor union activist Carlos Bulosan, several groups are revisiting his works by way of paying him tribute for his achievements and what he had exposed and fought for, many of which have telling and timely effects on many people, including Filipinos and Asian immigrants, even during this present era.
Spearheading these groups are the Carlos Bulosan Book Club led by Commissioner Jaime Geaga and its mother organization, the Friends of Echo Park Library headed by James Castillo, the Philippine Global Media Group headed by Val Abelgas and Dan Nino, the Asian Journal Publications Inc. led by Roger Oriel, the Philippine News Today and Philippine Post, the Manila-based Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) headed by Chairperson Atty. Maritess BarriosTaran and Filipinos in the United States from Pangasinan, Bulosan’s home province. Highlight of one of the tributes is the reading of the first Filipino translation of Bulosan’s famous poem, “I Want the Wide American Earth,” – “Gusto Ko ang Malawak na Lupaing America” – as part of the launching last September 20 of the book “California: A Philippine Territory Almost and Other Stories,” by veteran journalist, author and professor Alfredo G. Gabot.
Venue of the first event on September 20 was the Echo Park Library, a branch of the Los Angeles Public Library system, located on Temple street at the Filipinotown in Los Angeles. Another event is scheduled at the Milpitas Library and another in San Diego. The Los Angeles Library was the source of books and periodicals which Bulosan read and which inspired and sharpened his writing prowess while he was confined for two years in the nearby Los Angeles General Hospital from 1936 to 1938.
“I Want the Wide American Earth” was translated into Filipino by journalist-author- educator Jose Lad. Santos, former Chairman of the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) and former Commissioner of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
A copy of the hand-written Filipino version of the poem titled “Gusto Ko ang Malawak na Lupaing Amerika” was presented to Commissioner Geaga and the Echo Park Library. Both Filipino and English versions of the poem are featured in the book launched at the library. Also presented to the Carlos Bulosan Book Club will be copies of the Ilocano translation of Bulosan’s historic book, “America is in the Heart.” The Ilocano version, “Adda Iti Pusok Ti Amerika,” was the work of Pangasinan writer Manuel Diaz and serialized in the Bannawag magazine. The Ilocano translation’s publication into book was spearheaded by the Sub-Commission on Cultural Dissemination (SCD) of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and launched with then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo at the Binalonan Airport, a commercial airport owned by the family of current
Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III and Rep. Ramon Guico Jr. in Binalonan, the hometown of Bulosan and the late First Lady Dr. Evangelina Macaraeg Macapagal, wife of the late President Diosdado Macapagal and mother of former President Macapagal-Arroyo.
“I Want the Wide American Earth” became the centrepiece and theme of the Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Heritage Month celebration under US President Barack Obama in May 2013 through the efforts of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center. Obama issued a Presidential Proclamation highlighting the importance of the month in reflecting upon the history and contributions of AAPIs. In his message during the celebration, President Obama said: “Each May, our Nation comes together to recount the ways Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) helped forge our country. We remember a time 170 years ago, when Japanese immigrants first set foot on American shores and opened a path for millions more. We remember 1869, when Chinese workers laid the final ties of the transcontinental railroad after years of backbreaking labor. And we remember Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have made our country bigger and brighter again and again, from Native Hawaiians to the generations of striving immigrants who shaped our history -- reaching and sweating and scraping to give their children something more. Their story is the American story, and this month, we honor them all.”
Unknown to many, “I Want the Wide American Earth” was one of the last major works of Carlos Bulosan before his passing in Seattle, Washington due to lingering illness on September 11, 1956. Bulosan composed the poem in defense of courageous and pioneering Filipino labor union leaders, Chris Mensalvas, Ernesto Mangaoang, Ponce Torres, Joe Prudencio and Casomiro Bueno Absilor, some of them his provincemates in Pangasinan. The union leaders had been branded as communists and were being deported for years at the height of McCarthyism in the US. Bulosan produced and sold signed and numbered copies of the poem to boost the defense fund of the union leaders.
Bulosan also wrote a stirring piece, “An Open Letter to the Filipino People,” in the newspaper Philippines Mail on March 31, 1950 issue in defense of the union leaders. “…The deportation proceedings against the five members of Local 7, FTA, should be halted by all those who want to live in freedom and see an America where the individual is not in constant fear of his life and security,” he wrote. “It should be stopped before our constitutional rights are destroyed by an ever expanding machinery of our government, now bent on spying (into) the deepest recesses of our private lives…”
At that time, Bulosan was elected Publicity Director of the Local 37 of the International
by C laire M orales T rue
Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union (ILWU) based in Seattle. He edited the union’s 1952 Yearbook upon the invitation of the union leader and provincemate, Chris Mensalvas. The Yearbook chronicled the deportation battle of the union leaders and reflected Bulosan’s broad commitment to workers’ rights and social justice. Bulosan had to endure the long trip from Los Angeles where he had become an established writer to be able to reach Seattle to work for the union again. Bulosan’s works as publicity director helped strengthen the union and ultimately win the deportation cases.
Bulosan’s poem “I Want the Wide American Earth” captures the scope and ambition of immigrants of the American Dream. It also reflects the enduring spirit of immigrants and refugees seeking freedom and prosperity for their families.
The poem reads in part:
Before the brave, before the proud builders and workers, I say I want the wide American earth For all the free. I want the wide American earth for my people.
I want my beautiful land. I want it with my rippling strength and tenderness
Of love and light and truth
For all the free.
The poem affirms Bulosan’s strong faith in America – and calls on others to join in that faith – despite long years of hardships and difficulties he and other people, especially the minorities and immigrants, had suffered in America, enduring extreme racial discrimination, harsh workers conditions, despotic labor contractors, police brutality, among others. In one instance, he even wrote that in those days “it is a crime to be a Filipino in America.”
Bulosan chronicled his excruciating experience and that of other workers and migrants, including the Latinos, the Chinese and the Japanese, in an epic semiautobiographical book “America is in the Heart” which was first published in 1946 (1943) in New York by Harcourt, Brace and Company and re-published in 1973 by the University of Washington Press. The university keeps the biggest collection of Bulosan’s original works, poems, short stories, essays, books, unpublished manuscripts, including letters. Thanks to modern technology, these works are now available in digital form on a dedicated UW website.
For years now, “America is in the Heart” has been a reference book in Asian American Studies and American Ethnic and Minority Studies in colleges and universities, especially in California, Washington and Oregon, three states which played prominently in Carlos Bulosan’s colorful life. Bulosan also worked in the canneries of Alaska and combed the farms of Colorado, Idaho and Arizona during their harvesting seasons. According to reviews, Bulosan reveals in the final pages of the book that because he loved America no one could ever destroy
his faith in his new country. He argued that despite the suffering and abuses he had experienced, America was an unfinished “ideal in which everyone must invest (...) time and energy, (...) this outlook leaves us with a feeling of hope for the future instead of bitter defeat.”
While in Los Angeles, Bulosan’s works found print in the popular magazines and national publications, especially in the 1940s, considered his most productive years. These mainstream publications include The New Yorker, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, The Saturday Review of Literature, The New Republic, Mademoiselle, Scholastic as well as the Leftist journal New Masses. On March 6, 1943, The Saturday Evening Post published his famous “Freedom from Want,” based on U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms.” The essay put him in the league of distinguished writers of those times -- Booth Tarkington, Will Durant and Stephen Vincent Benet who wrote the essays on the three other freedoms. Bulosan’s essay presented the perspective of a Filipino immigrant in the United States, addressing the struggle for equality and recognition. He highlighted that freedom from want is not just about material possessions, but also about dignity and the ability to participate fully in society.
In the essay, Bulosan affirmed that the meaning of freedom was “that all men, whatever their color, race, religion or estate, should be given equal opportunity to serve themselves and each other according to their needs and abilities.” Yet he went on to link strongly the spiritual and material dimensions of liberty:
“So long as the fruit of our labor is denied us, so long will want manifest itself in a world of slaves. It is only when we have plenty to eat—plenty of everything—that we begin to understand what freedom means. To us, freedom is not an intangible thing. When we have enough to eat, then we are healthy enough to enjoy what we eat. Then we have the time and ability to read and think and discuss things. Then we are not merely living but also becoming a creative part of life. It is only then that we become a growing part of democracy.”
Bulosan also wrote:
“But our march to freedom is not complete unless want is annihilated. The America we hope to see is not merely a physical but also a spiritual and an intellectual world. We are the mirror of what America is. If America wants us to be living and free, then we must be living and free. If we fail, then America fails.
“What do we want? We want complete security and peace. We want to share the promises and fruits of American life. We want to be free from fear and hunger.
“If you want to know what we are — we are marching!”
In an article “Letter to a Philippine Woman,” which ran in The New Republic in November 1943, Bulosan underlined his inclusive vision of life in America:
“It is but fair to say that America is not a land of one race or one class of men. We are all America
that have toiled and suffered and known oppression and defeat, from the first Indian that died in Manhattan to the last Filipino that bled to death in the foxholes of Bataan…America is also the nameless foreigner, the homeless refugee, the hungry boy begging for a job and the black body hanging from a tree. America is the illiterate immigrant who is ashamed that the world of books and intellectual opportunities is closed to him. We are all that nameless foreigner, that homeless refugee, that hungry boy, that illiterate immigrant and that lynched black boy. All of us from the first Adams to the last Bulosan, native born or immigrant, educated or illiterate—We are America!
sailed to America in 1930 at 17 in pursuit of the American Dream. The Philippines was an American territory or colony at that time, so he carried a passport (the size of a bond paper then) that of a United States national, along with thousands
Panelists share insights with attendees during last year’s FilAm Creative Film Festival’s “The Director & DP Dynamic” session held at Cal State LA. Courtesy: FilAm Creative
Bulosan
CARLOS BULOSAN and his book, “America is in the Heart.”
UNION YEARBOOK edited by Carlos Bulosan
Bulosan is visited by nephew R. Sonny Sampayan and wife Edith Sampayan and director Abner Mercado before
CARLOS BULOSAN nephew
that program and a former festival director, I’m inspired by every opportunity to help bring these stories to life.”
For ticket information and a full lineup of festival events, please visit the FilAm Creative website.
‘Jaguar’ was meant to launch Philip Salvador as an action star — Ricky Lee
by haNNah mallorca Inquirer.net
FOR the first time since the restored version of the Lino Brocka masterpiece “Jaguar” first premiered at the 16th Lumiere Film Festival in Lyon, France last year, the movie meant to launch Phillip Salvador as an action star made its opening at the Sinag Maynila Film Festival.
The film festival, held annually in celebration of the Philippine Film Industry Month (PFIM), opened at Gateway 2 in Quezon City where restored films of movie greats such as Brocka, Joel Lamangan, will be featured in various partner cinemas.
For its 7th -year offering, “Jaguar’s” restored version will be screened in the Philippines for the first time since its cinematic debut in August 1979. The movie was said to be the first fully Filipinomade film ever nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival the next year, also in France.
At the sidelines of the opening ceremony of the Sinag Maynila filmfest, National Artist Ricky Lee, then the co-screenwriter of “Jaguar,” recalled that the movie was meant to launch Salvador as a full-fledged action superstar to rival the likes of Fernando Poe Jr., Rudy Fernandez and Ace Vergel.
Based on a story from Nick Joaquin’s non-fiction collection “Reportage on Crime,” “Jaguar” tells the story of Poldo Miranda (Salvador), the trusted security guard of a rich nepo baby Sonny Gaston (Menggie Cobarrubias). As Jaguar (a play on the Filipinized guardiya” or guard), Poldo gets embroiled in Sonny’s shenanigans, but their confidence in one another gets tested when they both fell for an aspiring actress, Cristy (played by Amy Austria).
Originally, Brocka wanted the film’s storyline to be a fullon adaptation of “The Boy Who Wanted to Become Society,” the exact story from Joaquin’s nonfiction collection. Although the original report said alias Boy Nap — the basis of Salvador’s character — shot his rich friend dead.
“Ito rin ang magiging panglaunch kay Philip Salvador (This was meant to launch Philip Salvador),” Lee said. “So nagbrainstorm kami ni Pete [Lacaba] and noong natapos ang storyline, magco-comment si Lino, at magre-
revise kami hanggang maging plantsado. After that, we did a sequence treatment, nag-revise hanggang maging plantsado based sa comments hanggang matapos, and then sinunod ang script,” he continued.
(Pete and I brainstormed about the story. When we finished the storyline, Lino would leave his comments, and we would revise it until it was okay. After that, we did a sequence treatment and would revise until things get ironed out based on the comments, until we’re done. The script would be next.) According to Lee, Brocka always gave “minimal comments,” which put the pressure on him and Lacaba to ensure that the story would be fully ironed out. “Ang naalala kong bilin lang niya, gawing tough sa labas si Phillip pero very vulnerable sa loob (I remembered his only comment was to make Philip tough on the outside, but very vulnerable on the inside),” he said of their working relationship.
Scene Adjustments
Lee also revealed that the opening ceremony of the film festival was his and Lacaba’s first time to see “Jaguar.”
Ngayon lang namin napanood.
Natatandaan ko pa ‘yung kwento, base sa mga script ko sa bahay, pero otherwise, ngayon lang namin siya napanood (We just watched the film for the first time. I still remember the story based on the scripts I have at home. But other than that, we just watched it now),” he said.
Just like his past work, the National Artist said he had vivid memories of how “Jaguar” was brought to life. Such is the final scene where Poldo (Salvador) beats Sonny (Cobarrubias) to a pulp before he is dragged by policemen back behind bars.
In the original scene, Salvador was meant to hurt Cobarrubias while he was in jail, then the policemen would rain punches on
him, stopping the screen veteran from hitting the latter. “Noong shino-shoot na sa set, sinasabihan kami ng bawal ‘yan kasi hindi raw nambubugbog ang pulis (When we shot the scene on set, we were told that it’s not allowed since the police allegedly don’t punch other people),” Lee shared, noting that censorship of violence, weapons, and anything related to sex was strict back then.
However, this was contested by Brocka after encountering by chance a sidewalk vendor getting punched in the face by a policeman.
Another adjustment that was made to “Jaguar” was the revision of the film poster.
“Noong ginawa namin ang poster, ang original was si Philip Salvador as a security guard na may baril. Bawal ang may baril sa posters unless pumayag kang ipipinta ng puti. Ayaw pintahan ni Lino nang puti,” Lee recalled. “So nakatayo si Philip Salvador nang naka-uniporme pero tinanggal ang baril [pero cinontest siya], until sa maging nakatayo na lang si Philip na naka-denim jacket.
(When we did the poster, the original idea was to make Philip Salvador a security guard with a gun. Having a gun on film posters was not allowed unless you had to paint it white. Lino didn’t want to do it. What happened was that we made Philip Salvador stand with his uniform, but with no gun. This was contested. Until it ended up showing Philip standing while wearing a simple denim jacket.)
According to the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ (FDCP) Philippine Film Archive, the restoration of the film was done in collaboration with the France-based Cite de Memoire, using the film’s original negatives. Additional touch-ups on the color grading, sound design, and other elements were done to ensure its quality.
Albie Casiño, Lauren Young slam Zaldy Co’s son after post on family’s controversy
ALBIE Casiño and Lauren Young were among those who hit back at Michael Ellis Co, son of embattled congressman Zaldy Co, after he distanced himself from his family’s corruption issues in relation to the flood control projects. Through a statement posted on his Instagram on Sept. 24, Ellis admitted that he felt “ashamed” of the allegations against his father that also dragged his family into public scrutiny. He said that he condemned all forms of corruption, so he would want his father to be held accountable.
Saying he might get disowned for speaking out, the 24-year-old fashion designer said he would face the consequences of this decision rather than “watch millions of people suffer from his (father’s) actions.” While acknowledging his privilege, Ellis claimed he has been
living independently since he was 16, turning down offers to enter politics or government-related opportunities, resulting in a strained relationship with father, and their family.
In the comments section, Casiño and Young did not mince words as they expressed their skepticism over his Ellis’ supposed narrative.
“Your music sucks, your fashion sense sucks, you and your family all suck,” said Casiño. Young, on the other hand, simply wrote the curse word “F You.”
As of writing, Ellis’ post has gathered over 5,000 comments with mostly negative remarks. Content creator AC Soriano also mocked Ellis’ long explanation, writing, “Daming chika, eh kung tinext mo na lang na umuwi natuwa pa kami (Too many words, if you had just texted him to come home, we would have been even happier.)”
PH’s Kirk Bondad is Mister International 2025
by c meNdez legasPi Philstar.com
KIRK Bondad, 27, a wellness director and supermodel from the Philippines, is Mister International 2025! He bested 41 other “Distinctively Confident” contenders from around the world. Mister Lebanon Saadedine Hneineh is 1st runner-up, while Mister Korea Seung-ho Choi is 2nd runner-up.
The 17th Mister International was held at the MCC Hall, The Mall Lifestore Ngamwongwan, Nonthaburi, Thailand, on Sep
tember 25.
Kirk’s reply to the Top 6 Question, “In an era of fake news and misinformation, why is critical thinking important for the survival of democracy?”
“I think that this topic is a very timely matter because social media is acting as a double-edged sword, it can divide but it can also unite. One thing that is very prevalent now, and that you can see everywhere, is that fake news is spreading. I think critical thinking gives us the ability to see what truly matters because in the end of the day, every step counts, and if we can work together as humanity, we can progress in this world and we can move forward with peace and progress.”
And his winning answer to the Top 3 Question: "If you win Mister International and are invited to speak at the United Nations, what one social or political issue would you choose to highlight and why?
"
“If I were given the honor, I would focus on the children. We need to protect them. I would give them a chance, provide more protection, and cultivate education because today's children will be tomorrow's leaders. Ultimately, I believe that if we collectively make the right decisions, even
small steps can have a big impact internationally.”
Addicted to winning?
There was a triple send-off press conference for the Mister Pilipinas Worldwide Kings on August 28 at the KMC, Armstrong Corporate Center, Makati City — Kenneth Marcelino for Mister Cosmopolitan 2025 (where he placed second), Kirk for Mister International 2025, and Jether Palomo for Mister Global 2025 (happening on September 25 to October 5), all in Thailand.
Having performed exceptionally well in his two previous pageants plus his competitive streak as an athlete, Kirk was asked if he was addicted to winning.
“To give you a little context, I'm not per se addicted to winning, but I'm a journey-oriented person. It has so many great benefits, you know, because it keeps me grounded on a day-to-day basis.
“I have to embody character, beauty, brain. So, every single day, I have to do multiple things that all keep me grounded on that day. So that's why I'm addicted to winning, because it puts me on a trajectory where I'm so focused.
“I think that's something I'm so grateful to be in. I think that
deep purpose connects you to anything, anywhere you are. So, my approach this time is because I have more experience coming into this new day.
“So, I'm trying to have more grace, because I feel like pressure is already there. I don't want to choke on it, because there's a lot of expectations, a lot of pressure. This is too much for me, especially on social media.
“It might get a little bit annoying. So, the
Ellis is the cousin of Claudine Co, daughter of Christopher Co, who was also recently thrust into the spotlight for being branded as a “nepo baby” or one of the so-called “Disney princesses” being pilloried on social media for alleged unapologetic flaunting of their lavish lifestyle amid Filipinos’ suffering because of corruption.
Zaldy and Christopher’s construction firms were among the recipients of controversial flood control project budgets in the Philippines.
The Senate blue ribbon committee is currently conducting an investigation into the alleged anomalous flood control projects that supposedly benefited several politicians, including the Cos, whose companies cornered big-ticket contracts that were deemed disadvantageous to government. (Inquirer.net)
“Liquid Candy”: Unhealthy...
* * 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
A scene from Lino Brocka’s “Jaguar.”
Handout photos
Amy Austria and Philip Salvador in a scene from “Jaguar.”
The Philippines’ Kirk Bondad is Mister International 2025. He succeeds outgoing Mister International Nwajagu Samuel of Nigeria. Screenshot from Mister International YouTube channel
-
MUSIC and community came together last Sunday September 21, 2025, as legendary balladeer Nonoy Zuñiga graced the stage in Los Angeles in a fundraising concert produced by St. Linus Catholic Church under the leadership of Fr. Eras Soriano. The evening was filled with heartfelt performances, special guest appearances, and a shared commitment to support the parish’s ongoing projects.
Zuñiga, a beloved icon of Original Pilipino Music, first captured hearts in the 1980s with unforgettable ballads like Never Ever Say Goodbye and Kumusta Ka. Beyond his music, his life story continues to inspire—after losing his leg in a tragic accident as a young man, he went on to become not only a chart-topping singer but also a physician, broadcaster, and advocate for persons with disabilities. For Zuñiga, every performance is a form of storytelling. He has often said that through song, he
A night of timeless music: Nonoy Zuñiga live in Los Angeles
“publishes” chapters of his life, offering listeners both beauty and hope. His return to Los Angeles showcased this enduring gift, reminding audiences why he remains a pillar of Philippine music. The evening was made even brighter by Ivy Violan, the Philippines’ very own “Music Festival Queen.” With her signature power and elegance, she delivered captivating numbers that brought the audience to their feet. Her presence was more than just a guest spot—it was a celebration of two icons sharing the stage in the spirit of music and giving. Special participation came from some of the best local singers in Los Angeles, including Janice Javier, whose soulful voice has wowed audiences since The Voice of the Philippines, and the ever-versatile Tina Cruz.
The show also featured talented vocalists Alan Leoncio, Florella Castro, and Ann-Marie Reyes, each bringing their own distinct artistry and energy to the evening, proving that Los Angeles is home
to a wealth of Filipino and Filipino-American talent.
At the heart of the event was the mission of St. Linus Catholic Church, located at 13915 Shoemaker Avenue in Norwalk, CA. Guided by its purpose of forming and transforming members into a faith-filled Eucharistic community united in loving service while promoting inclusivity, respect, and acceptance, the parish is deeply committed to service and outreach.
This concert was conceived as a fundraiser for the installation of a much-needed air conditioning system in the parish hall, one of several projects aimed at improving parish facilities. Other ongoing and future projects include repairing the parish hall roof, upgrading the church lighting and sound system, replacing carpets, extending the parish patio roof, improving the rectory’s air conditioning, and landscaping the grounds around the St. Linus statue. The choice of Zuñiga and Violan was both personal and purposeful.
Zuñiga is a close friend of parish supporters Joe and Suzanne Dee, and his reputation as a respected entertainer and undeniable crowd-drawer made him a natural fit. Ivy Violan, with her stellar voice and enduring presence, added even more brilliance to the show.
This successful production was made possible by the tireless efforts of the organizing committee: Bambi Lopez, Fr. Eras Soriano, Joseph & Suzanne Dee, Charity Villa, Imelda Manalac, Rey Factoran, Alex Lagman, Rosalinda Tandoc, and Mary Marquez. Their dedication ensured the event was not only memorable but also impactful.
The concert drew overwhelming support from generous sponsors, including Villagonzalo Insurance Partners, Trident Strategic Insurance Solutions, Northeast Billing, St. Anthony Insurance Solutions, Perlas Insurance, ACEF Enterprises, Nivera Consulting, Tablang Insurance Solutions (7/FM), Eleanor Azurin MD, Inc., Lodi Styling Center, House Cleaning 2000, Inc., Home Avenue Adult Day Care, Dr. Victoria Pamaran, Alex Ocampo, Gina & Joe Canas, Bella & Dante Angio, and Kathleen & Woody Tuazon, among others. The outpouring of generosity reflects the spirit of unity and shared responsibility that defines the parish community.
St. Linus continues to plan fundraising activities to support its projects, including its annual Parish Fiesta in October, a summer Luau, Sunday food sales, and dinner-dance parties. The recent concert with Nonoy Zuñiga and Ivy Violan was a shining example of how faith, music, and community can come together to make a lasting difference.
In the end, the show was more than a concert—it was a gathering of faith and culture, of voices raised not just in song but in service. With Zuñiga’s timeless hits, Violan’s regal presence, and the
Arnel Pineda breaks silence on wife’s domestic abuse allegations
by eltoN lugay Inquirer.net
LAS VEGAS – International rock star Arnel Pineda, frontman of Journey, has broken his silence on his estranged wife’s allegations of domestic abuse.
Speaking through his Las Vegas-based manager, Yul Session, Pineda dismissed his wife’s accusations, saying these were meant to paint Pineda as an abusive husband and father.
In an exclusive interview with Inquirer.net USA, Session, who has managed Pineda’s personal and career affairs for many years, described the allegations as “retaliation” after Pineda filed adultery cases against her nearly two years ago in Baguio and Quezon City. This is not true,” Session said. “Two years ago, Arnel filed an adultery case against [wife]. Everything she’s saying now is retaliation. Arnel has proof that she has a lover.”
According to Session, Pineda decided to take legal action after finding out about his wife’s involvement with another man.
“Arnel had investigators follow her. He even has photographic evidence of her leaving a motel with another man. Despite that, he still refrained from making these things public for the sake of their children,” Session said.
He stressed that Pineda has never physically hurt his wife.
All I know about Arnel is that he is a very gentle person, in and out. He is incapable of being violent. What [wife] is saying about abuse is not true,” Session explained. Others who have worked closely with Pineda shared similar sentiments.
“I cannot imagine Arnel lifting a finger to hurt his wife,” said veteran concert promoter Vic Perez, who has worked with him several times.
He is one of the most gentle souls I’ve met in the industry. His demeanor is the exact opposite of what [wife} is claiming. It’s sad she would make up these stories to cover up her extramarital affairs and to take advantage of Arnel financially. That’s just foul and unacceptable. Despite their differences, Session said Pineda continues to provide for her financially.
[Wife] even collects rental income from Arnel’s properties. She receives at least 500,000 pesos every month, he said. “On top of that, Arnel continues to shoulder the expenses of their children from school to daily needs. He is a good father and provider.
Session said that, Pineda has treated his wife’s children from her previous marriage as his own, paying for their schooling, from elementary to college, and for their trips abroad.
He added that the couple’s children have confided their unhappi-
ness with the ongoing conflict. According to him, the children have even asked their mother to stop her public accusations, with one of the older children reportedly saying, “He’s still our father.
The wife’s camp has previously claimed that Pineda failed to attend scheduled court hearings, resulting in the issuance of a bench warrant. But according to Pineda’s lawyers, this claim is misleading.
In a statement, his legal team said that bench warrant issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court was “procedural in nature,” and has already been addressed. At the time in question, Mr. Pineda was medically advised to rest due to illness brought on by the stress of personal matters. The allegation that he intentionally ignored or refused to attend court is unfounded,” his lawyers from the Chavez, Miranda and Aseoche law offices said.
Session further claimed the wife has been pressuring Pineda by resorting to public accusations and media attention, and that the VAWC case was “financially-motivated.”
“She wants to make it a media spectacle. But Arnel doesn’t want that. He has always told me to keep it out of the public because it affects the children,” he said. The Journey vocalist himself has not spoken publicly about the issue, choosing to let his lawyers and manager respond.
Arnel is very reluctant to talk about this. He told me, ‘Yul, you say it all. Speak about what you know and have seen.’ He wants this settled privately and properly, not in the public eye,” Session said. He emphasized that despite the strain, Pineda has maintained his responsibilities at home.
Arnel is a blessing to his family. He never abandoned his role as a father and provider. He gives more than enough. Despite all the lies being said against him, he remains devoted to his children,” Arnel’s manager said. Session expressed disappointment that the family’s private matters have become public, saying
that the focus should be on the children’s welfare. What’s saddest about all this is the kids. They are seeing things on social media and it’s not right. No matter what, they are the ones most affected by their mother’s actions,” he said.
The legal battle between the wife, who accuses Pineda of domestic violence, and Pineda, who accuses his wife of adultery, is still being heard in Philippine courts. Pineda’s camp maintains that the domestic violence allegations were “fabricated” to divert attention from his adultery complaint and to increase pressure to meet his wife’s financial demands.
“Everything will come out in court,” Perez said.
“For now, the truth is Arnel has always been a gentle father and husband. He has never harmed [wife]. She is the one who committed adultery, and she is the one turning things around to make him the villain.” In the meantime, Pineda remains in Manila caring for his children. His team insists he has chosen silence to protect them, though they acknowledge the toll it has taken.
“Arnel never asked for this to play out in public,” Session said.
“But he has proof, and if needed, he will use it. For now, he only wants peace and the chance to continue providing for his family without being bombarded by lies.” At the end of the day, Arnel’s legacy is not just his music but the way he treats people with kindness and respect,” Perez added.
“To see his name dragged through these false accusations is heartbreaking, because those who truly know him understand he would never do what [wife] is claiming.
INQUIRER Entertainment has asked the camp of Pineda’s wife to comment on the allegations, but it has yet to reply, although she has previously denied having taken a lover during their marriage, as stated in her VAWC complaint before the Office of the Quezon City Prosecutor.
Arnel Pineda
Photo from Instagram/@arnelpineda2007
Nonoy Zuñiga Photo by Mic Diaz
Florella Castro and Alan Leoncio
Janice Javier and Tina Cruz
Janice Javier, Tina Cruz, Nonoy Zuñiga and Ivy Violan
Ivy Violan
Photo by Mic Diaz
Janice Javier and Tina Cruz
Photos by Mic Diaz
Mic diAz
contributions of local talents, the night reaffirmed that music has the power to inspire, to unite, and to build a stronger community.
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.
