093022 - New York & New Jersey Edition

Philippines now open for business — Marcos

by Alexis RomeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines is now open for business, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Wednesday, September 28 as he

vowed to attend to the needs of investors to encourage them to come to the country.

Speaking during the opening of the new terminal building of the Clark International Airport, Marcos said it is time to talk about partnerships between the government and

the private sector that were sidelined during the height of the pandemic.

“We have not been able to do it in the previous years for the simple reason that there was a pandemic. We did not do anything but help our countrymen, take care

DATELINE

Filipino newlywed shot dead in road rage incident near San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO – A Filipino newlywed in San Lorenzo, east of San Francisco, was shot and killed in a road rage incident that interrupted his Facetime conversation with his wife in the Philippines on Sunday, Sept. 18.

Reinhart Asuncion, 30, shortly died at the scene of the shooting near an In-N-Out Burger and a Walmart off I-880. A car with some young people apparently cut him off as he was talking to his wife of four months, Princess Asuncion, on social media.

A witness said Asuncion got out of his pickup truck and approached the car.

Cratering peso touches

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with United States President Joe Biden on Thursday, September 22, 2022, at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Biden talked about the deep, strong ties between the United States and the Philippines, saying “For decades, the alliance has strengthened both of us, I believe. And one of the things I want to talk about today is how we continue to strengthen that and work together on the things that are of greatest concern to you.” Marcos on the other hand thanked the United States for its help during the pandemic, providing almost 36 million doses of vaccines and said that the Philippines continues to be allies, partners, and friends with the United States. AJPress photo by Troi Santos

Karding damage to infrastructure at P23M

by zAcARiAn sARAo Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippine peso touched the 59-level against the U.S. dollar in early Wednesday morning, September 28 trading, as a rallying greenback powered by a super aggressive Federal Reserve continues its rampage across currencies in the region.

The peso’s weakest showing for the day stood at P59.02 against the US dollar before paring some losses to close at P58.98, a tad stronger from its previous finish of P58.99.

It’s a weakness that mirrors the movement in other currency markets in the region, as the U.S. Federal Reserve’s jumbo hikes

MANILA — The estimated cost of damage to infrastructure caused by Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) reached P23,050,000 on Wednesday, September 28 the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said. This is almost eight times higher than the cost of damage reported on Tuesday, September 27

which was P3 million.

The NDRRMC in its latest situation report said the said infrastructure were damaged in three regions: Ilocos Region, Mimaropa, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.

Karding left mostly damaged roads but the NDRRMC noted that it is still currently assessing the the total cost of damage caused

of the sick, that’s what we did then,” the president said in Filipino.

“Now that the problem caused by the pandemic seems to have eased, perhaps it’s time to go back to our plans about these

Palace: Marcos ‘closely monitors’ peso sag

by chRistiAn PAul DelA cRuz Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is “in constant touch” with the economic team in monitoring the weakening value of the Philippine peso, Malacañang assured the public on Tuesday, September 27 but didn’t say what else he plans to do to calm investors, market watchers, and consumers’ concerns.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles said that while the topic was not discussed during the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the President is still monitoring the situation.

“Not today, although the President is in constant touch with the economic team and they’re closely monitoring [the slide],” she said in a Palace briefing when asked if the sagging peso was discussed during the Cabinet meeting.

“As you know naman (As you know), the inflation rate is due to any local factors, it’s

Ex-Chief Justice Bersamin is Marcos’ new executive secretary

by DAnizA FeRnAnDez, GAbRiel PAbico lAlu Philstar.com

MANILA — Retired Supreme Court (SC) chief justice Lucas Bersamin is the new executive secretary of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday, September 27.

Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles announced Bersamin’s new designation in a message sent to reporters after taking his oath before the President.

“Former Chief Justice u PAGE 2

Newly-appointed Executive Secretary Lucan Bersamin during his oath taking before Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Photo from Office of the President

SC warns vs inciting attacks against judges

by Krixia SubingSubing, Tina g. SanToS Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Supreme Court on Tuesday, September 27 warned of punitive action against individuals who threaten judges, speaking for the first time since a Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge received death threats after she decided last week to dismiss a government petition to outlaw the communist party and its armed wing.

Lawyers, judges and fellow alumni of Manila RTC Branch 19 Judge Marlo MagdozaMalagar condemned the threats against her and her husband, University of the Philippines Cebu chancellor Leo Malagar, who were vilified and red-tagged for her Sept. 21 decision.

“The Court sternly warns those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means which endanger the lives of judges and their families, and that this shall likewise be considered a contempt of this court and will be dealt with accordingly,” the high tribunal said in a statement.

It was not the first time that the court has spoken against

attacks on members of the bar and the bench.

In March 2021, the Supreme Court directed all lower courts to help in the investigation of threats and attacks against members of the judiciary.

“To threaten our judges and our lawyers is no less than an assault on the judiciary. To assault the judiciary is to shake the very bedrock on which the rule of law stands. This cannot be allowed in a civilized society like ours. This cannot go undenounced on the court’s watch,” the court said.

The court’s public information office said the justices on their own tackled on Tuesday the “statements made by a certain Lorraine Badoy” containing threats against Malagar.

In a Facebook post two days after Malagar decided on the proscription petition by the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the New People’s Army (NPA), Badoy accused the judge of “lawyering” for the insurgents and called her 135-

page decision “a judgment straight from the bowels of communist hell.”

The former spokesperson for the government’s anticommunist task force called Malagar a “friend” and “true ally” of the CPP, NPA and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Malagar ruled that alleged atrocities cited by the DOJ to support its 2018 petition were acts of rebellion that did not satisfy the law’s definition of terrorism.

In a post that appeared to be a direct threat of violence against Malagar, Badoy said:

“If I kill this judge and I do so out of my political belief

that all allies of the CPP-NPANDF must be killed because there is no difference in my mind between a member of the CPP-NPA-NDFP and their friends, then please be lenient with me.”

Supreme Court spokesperson Brian Hosaka told reporters the court had not yet ordered Badoy to comment on a possible contempt case against her as the justices were still discussing the matter.

On Tuesday around 200 lawyers signed a joint statement calling on the Supreme Court to hold Badoy accountable for her “direct attack against the judiciary

Philippines now open for business — Marcos...

kinds of PPP (public-private partnership) projects,” he added.

Marcos said he relayed the same message during his recent working visit to New York, where he met with several business groups and corporate executives to provide them updates about the situation in the Philippines.

“The idea was to tell them...we are willing to change in terms of documentation, procedure, even structure, even legislation, to encourage you to come into the Philippines. Again, the simple message that underlay all that we did was that the Philippines is here, we are a good place to invest, we are probably the most vibrant economy — that is in Southeast Asia,” Marcos said.

“We understand the requirements and the needs of our potential investors and we will attend to do. We will do everything so that that partnership becomes to the advantage of both the private sector, the public sector, to

the people,” he added.

Marcos said the new terminal of the Clark International Airport, whose operation and management project was the first PPP awarded under the previous administration, is a huge help to efforts to achieve economic recovery.

“And this facility is essentially a very strong signal that yes, indeed, we are open for business,” he said.

According to Marcos, the opening of the facility would be another building block in

the country’s goal to become a logistics center of Asia. The Philippines needs more airports to enhance tourism and boost economic activity, he added.

“We just opened a new terminal. It is state-of-the-art and this is one of the things that we will continue to do in the future to bring you all to come and be partners with the Philippines to help the lives of our people, to help the Philippine economy, and improve the lives of Filipinos,” he said.

Marcos cited the need to

open regional airports while construction works in the airports in Manila, Bulacan, and Cavite are ongoing.

“Let us not force everyone to pass through Manila.... This kind of project is exactly on point when it comes to the plans that we have,” the chief executive said.

The inauguration of the 110,000 square-meter terminal building of the Clark International Airport is part of the efforts to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and promote economic activity in Central Luzon. The building can accommodate around eight million passengers every year, an improvement from the previous 4.2 million passengers annually.

Also present during the event were Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Tourism Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina GarciaFrasco, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Chairman Delfin Lorenzana, and officials from the Luzon International Premier Airport Development. n

Fil-Am ex-border officer sentenced for fake-marriage-forgreen-card scheme

SEATTLE – U.S. District Court sentenced a Filipino American former U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer Friday, Sept. 16, for agreeing to a sham marriage so that her childhood acquaintance could immigrate to the United States and obtain U.S. citizenship.

Katherine De Leon

Evaristo, 39, of Burien, Washington, was sentenced to two years of probation for immigration fraud. She was to be paid $20,000 for the fake marriage. Evaristo later obtained a job at the Office of Field Operations for CBP and used her position to make an inquiry into her husband’s immigration status.

Palace: Marcos ‘closely...

really about the exchange rate. But it is a matter for the President, which the President closely monitors on a regular basis and he’s in close contact with the economic managers on this matter,” Cruz-Angeles added.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that slow growth in the Philippine economy is expected in 2023.

The IMF predicts the Philippine economy to grow 6.5 percent in 2022. And for 2023, it said the Philippine economy might grow 5 percent.

But Cruz-Angeles asserted that “our economic managers forecast a higher growth.”

“Our fundamentals are strong, the economy is in good resurgence and we are expecting a good rate of growth right now. We will have to see in the end whether that forecast is going to be more accurate than the local forecast,” she noted.

As of September 27, the value of the Philippine peso dropped further to 58.99 against one U.S. dollar.

Meanwhile, the country’s inflation rate for the month of August was at 6.3 percent.

Based on a report from First Metro Investment Corp. and the University of Asia and the Pacific, the 6.3 percent inflation rate is seen to increase to 6.7 percent by September or October. n

Ex-Chief Justice...

Lucas Bersamin has taken his oath of office as Executive Secretary, before President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.,” Cruz-Angeles said.

“He began his duties immediately by attending the 9th cabinet meeting right after swearing in,” she added.

Bersamin replaced Atty. Vic Rodriguez, who had acted as lawyer and spokesperson for Marcos as early as during his bid for the vice presidency in 2016 and when he ran for president in the 2022 polls.

The former chief justice is expected to bring almost 20 years of expertise and experience in the judiciary, including over 10 years in the high court, to the new administration. He was appointed associate justice

of SC from 2009 to 2018, and chief magistrate in November 2018 after former President Rodrigo Duterte appointed him.

After he retired from service, Duterte appointed Bersamin as chairperson of the Government Service Insurance System.

Rodriguez stepped down from his post after getting dragged into the sugar importation controversy when he admitted to asking the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA) to draft the controversial Sugar Order (SO) No. 4. The draft order has since been revoked by Marcos, saying it was drafted without his permission.

But while he has resigned as the “little president,” Rodriguez will continue to serve as chief of staff to Marcos. n

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. accommodates the Philippine press during his last day of working visit in New York. Facebook photo / Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles

Photo from Inquirer.net

F rom the F ront P age

SC warns vs inciting...

PAGE 2

and its officers that is intended to undermine public confidence in the justice system.”

‘Beyond fair criticism’

Among those who signed the statement were former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, Lyceum College of Law Dean Pacifico Agabin, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) president Edre Olalia, NUPL Chair Neri Colmenares, and former IBP president Ade Fajardo.

The statement said that “the grave and disturbing threats and scurrilous statements” against Malagar and other members of the judiciary were “beyond the bounds of fair and reasonable criticism.”

The lies and libelous accusations against judges and lawyers would “erode the people’s faith in our courts and justice system” if left unchecked, the statement said.

The Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag), which was founded during the martial law regime of the late ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, said Badoy was criminally liable for the statements she made against Malagar and for baselessly calling the judge’s husband a communist sympathizer.

‘Felony’

“Badoy’s threat is not protected speech—it is a felony. Her Red-tagging of the spouses Malagar violate their rights under international law and Philippine law. Her irresponsible posts against them and others clearly indicate that

she will continue to act with impunity unless she is held accountable,” Flag said.

The Movement Against Disinformation said Badoy’s statements were “maliciously designed to manipulate and sway the public opinion and impel violence and action against an identified and targeted member of the bench.”

The Chevening Alumni Foundation, which counts Malagar among its members, denounced the attacks against the judge and others who were only “exercising their rights or performing their duties to respect human rights.”

The prestigious Chevening Scholarship of the UK government chooses scholars from around the world for their potential to make positive change in their home nations.

Prominent Cheveners include UP President Danilo Concepcion, former CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez Dumpit, Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo and Pasay RTC Judge Maria Rowena Nieves Tan.

PNP commitment

During Tuesday’s budget hearing for the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Kabataan Rep. Raoul Danniel Manuel got a commitment from the Philippine National Police that it would investigate threats against Malagar.

Manuel said Badoy also had expressed her desire to create a group that would set up an

u PAGE 7

Filipino newlywed shot dead in...

Someone shot him point-black. His truck was also found riddled with bullets.

“I tried to stop him, I shouted at him don’t go out from your car instead stay inside the car. He left me on the phone, the screen camera is open, I heard a lot, several times of gunshots and that’s it,” Princess Asuncion told KTVU News . “Maybe just one or two steps or three steps away from his car, I just heard a lot of gunshots – a lot of gunshots,”

No arrests have been made, according to the Alameda County Sheriff’s office. A white Hyundai Sonata was seen fleeing the scene of the shooting.

“The hardest part is that I’m here in the Philippines and I can’t do anything and that’s it,” Princess told ABC7 News. I have no husband anymore, no one is going to call me in the middle of the night to wake me up to check on me how is my day,’” she said Princess.

donate can access the account at https://www. gofundme.com/f/the-passing-of-rienhartasuncion.

Anyone with information about the murder is asked to contact sheriff’s investigators at 510-667-7721. (Inquirer.net) n

Cratering peso touches 59-level as...

PAGE 1

to tame stubbornly high inflation stateside send the dollar to its strongest level in decades.

Nicholas Mapa, senior economist at ING Bank in Manila, believes emerging markets can do “very little” in the face of an aggressive U.S. central bank. As it is, other central banks are in a dilemma: either let their currency weaken and risk stoking inflation, or move in tandem with the Fed and drag down their economies to another recession.

“Early rate hikes, jumbo rate hikes have all been cannon fodder as (Jerome Powell) and company tighten policy to combat U.S. inflation induced by ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine,” Mapa said in a Viber message.

PAGE 1 PAGE 1

At its meeting this month,

the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas hiked its policy rate anew, this time by 50 basis points in a bid to control multiyear high inflation. However, this was not enough to match the aggression of the U.S. central bank, which raised its key rate by 75 basis points this month and indicated that more tightening would come.

So far, BSP Governor Felipe said there won’t be any emergency policy meetings after the one that happened in July. For ING Bank’s Mapa, the BSP would rather dip into the country’s foreign reserves than match the Fed to save the weak peso, which could fan inflation by pushing up import costs.

“With dollar strength looking like that, BSP will likely drawdown reserves built up over the last 2 years prior. From 2019-2020,

BSP grew reserves by $23.8 billion. This year they’ve drawn down a relatively modest $5.5 billion for context,” he added.

But Jun Neri, lead economist at Bank of the Philippines Islands, said the possibility of another surprise policy meeting this year could not be ruled out.

“We think there is a big chance there will be an inter-meeting hike before November 17, which is the scheduled meeting of the BSP. We are simply anticipating that when the (Federal Open Market Committee) hikes by 75 bps on November 1, the BSP won’t be able to wait for their scheduled November 17 meeting,” he said. — Ian Nicolas Cigaral with a report from Ramon Royandoyan (Philstar.com) n

Karding damage to...

A GoFundMe account has been posted to help pay for Asuncion’s funeral. The fund had raised $3,375 toward its $15,000 goal as of Tuesday morning. Those wishing to by the typhoon.

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC also reported a P110M damage to the country’s agricultural sector, but the Department of Agriculture, for its part, said it has estimated the damage left by Karding at P1.29 billion.

Karding has exited the Philippine area of responsibility and no longer has direct effects on the country. n

Reinhart Asuncion, 30, who got married only four months ago, was shot and killed near San Francisco. Facebook photo

As of 6:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 26, houses in San Miguel, Bulacan still submerged in floodwaters due to heavy rains brought by #KardingPH.

Inquirer.net photo by Ram Nabong

OFeatures piniOn

After the typhoon, the garbage

As in previous typhoons, tons of garbage washed up on the shores of Manila Bay as Super Typhoon Karding pummeled Luzon beginning Sunday night, September 25. The most visible was the garbage on the white dolomite beach in Manila.

Before the controversial artificial beach was installed beside Manila’s Baywalk, even normal tides regularly dumped tons of garbage along what used to be rock-strewn shores. This points to a problem that has yet to be resolved: improper garbage disposal. It also lies at the heart of plastic pollution: whether it’s single-use or plant-based biodegradable, plastic – and all other types of materials – will continue to pollute land and oceans, getting stuck in the guts of whales, as long as waste is not disposed of properly.

These days, in addition to plastic, tin cans, glass containers, water bottles, paper waste and wood scraps, the other materials now regularly washed ashore around Manila Bay are pandemic-related garbage: face masks and medical waste. One can only guess where the garbage comes from, but it is a clear indication of inefficient waste management by the government, compounded by people’s filthy habits that can’t seem to be broken.

The garbage likely has multiple origins: households, business establishments, industrial plants, government offices, schools, health facilities, leisure areas, and even the large ships that enter the bay.

Local government units, now equipped with a much larger share of national revenue, must boost their garbage collection and waste management services, especially in depressed areas where people cannot afford to buy plastic garbage bags, much less segregate their waste.

Garbage receptacles are also needed in public spaces with high foot traffic, such as in areas where people line up for mass transport. In the absence of such receptacles, many people simply drop cigarette stubs, used tissue paper and face masks as well as food containers on the sidewalk, knowing that no one is enforcing laws against littering.

Apart from attracting rodents, cockroaches and other vermin, the garbage piles also clog

drainage systems, aggravating flooding that has worsened in recent years amid extreme weather attributed to climate change. During heavy rainfall and typhoons, the garbage washes ashore, spoiling the pristine state of the high-maintenance dolomite beach in Manila.

Barangay personnel, who are moving heaven and Earth to obtain yet another term extension from Congress and Malacañang,

should make themselves useful and organize systematic garbage disposal within their jurisdictions. People should do their part, through a change in mindset and practices. There are people who like dumping their garbage anywhere except in their own backyard. In fact the entire planet is our backyard, and it is every person’s responsibility to keep the Earth clean. (Philstar.com)

A very successful US trip for President BBM

ARRIVING on presidential flight PR001 from Manila to Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, we were extremely honored to welcome President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. for his official visit to the United States – his first trip to the Western world

as president. With me was Ambassador Antonio Manuel “Tonet” Lagdameo, our Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Our staff from the Philippine embassy in Washington D.C. and the New York consulate, together with the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN office, worked extremely hard to make the President’s trip successful.

As instructed by the

President, he wanted his trip to be meaningful and successful. And sure enough to begin with, the Filipino community event at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center was jampacked where the President and the First Lady received a very warm welcome from our kababayans – many of them traveling from across the U.S., with some coming all the way from Canada just

to see the President, who lauded the overseas Filipino workers for their courage and heroism at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A good friend of mine, John Tuttle, who is vice chairman of the New York Stock Exchange, invited the President as their special guest. The President and the First Lady were expected to ring the closing bell. While making our way to the

famous balcony, a number of Filipino traders and people at the trading floor came up to President BBM to congratulate and wish him well. I found it a very good omen that the green light was on, signaling that the stocks were going up.

Joining the President at the NYSE forum were members of his economic team that include Finance Secretary Ben Diokno and Trade

Secretary Fred Pascual, as well as businessmen led by Aboitiz Group president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz, lead convenor of the Private Sector Advisory Council. The NYSE meeting was a great opportunity to signal that the Philippines is definitely back on track and is the “next big thing in Asia,” as Sabin Aboitiz said, describing President

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL

Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”)

Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases.

Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation.

Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an a greement to continue publication.

Main Office:

S. Brand Blvd

CA

Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Fax: (818) 502-0858 • (213) 481-0854

e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com

With

Los

New York

32nd Ave., Flushing, NY 11354 Tel.: (212) 655-5426

Fax (818) 502-0858

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor and Editor-in-Chief New York/New Jersey Asian

Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material.

AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement.

Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind.

ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively.

Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions.

Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other

please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at

ManilaTimes.net photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

Marcos certifies 2023 P5.268T national budget as urgent

MANILA — President Marcos last night certified as urgent the executive department’s proposed P5.268-trillion national budget for 2023 even as the House of Representatives intends to approve the government spending plan this week.

“The certification from Malacañang will enable the House to approve the General Appropriations Bill on second and third reading on the same day, which we set on Wednesday (Sept. 28),” Speaker Martin Romualdez said in a statement.

“We are right on track with our schedule,” he said, referring to House Bill 4488, as the lower legislative chamber deliberates on the budget proposals of only less than 10 agencies this week.

House Majority Leader Manuel Jose Dalipe said they are 76 percent done last week.

In a single-page document, Marcos invoked his power under Article 6, Section 26, and Subsection 2 of the 1987 Constitution, which authorizes him to “certify to the necessity of the immediate enactment of HB 4488.”

“In order to address the need to maintain continuous government operations following the end of the current fiscal year, we strengthen efforts to respond more effectively to the pandemic and support initiatives towards national economic recovery,” Marcos stated. (By Delon Porcalla/ Philstar.com) n

Concepcion: Private sector helped pitch investments during Marcos visit

MANILA — With the country’s leading tycoons making up the delegation, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recently concluded sixday working visit to the U.S. stirred excitement among some of the world’s largest private equity investors who wish to explore investment opportunities in the Philippines.

One of the highlights was a high-level roundtable meeting organized by Asia Society Philippines chair Doris Magsaysay Ho and vice chair Myla Villanueva last Sept. 23, where some of the world’s largest private equity investors in aviation, big infrastructure, energy, fintech and payments, e-commerce, and digital infrastructure were in attendance.

Magsaysay-Ho, who gave

the opening remarks, also facilitated the introductions.

The investors in attendance included former ambassador John Negroponte of McLarty Associates, Gregory Nixon of Cerberus Capital Management, Charles

“This government has been very supportive of the private sector and public participation. The President is very keen to get the private sector involved and we are delighted with that,” said Ayala Corp. chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala during the Public Economic Briefing held during the

Phillips of Recognize Fund, Ken Mehiman of KKR, Andrew Thomas of Stonepeak, Mark Tatum of NBA, Dinesh Kanna of Boston Consulting, Michael Kirban of VitaCoco, Proof of Learn founder Shiela

Some of the country’s biggest businessmen accompanied President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., seen here at a dinner hosted by LT Group’s Michael Tan: (from left): China Bank Chairman Hans Sy, LT Group COO Lucio Tan III, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s George Barcelon, President Marcos, RFM Corp. and Go Negosyo’s Joey Concepcion, and LT Group President Michael Tan. Philstar.com photo

Marcelo, Asia Society trustee Asheet Mehta of McKinsey, Nick Rohatyn of The Rohatyn Group, Itai Lemberger of Bow Wave Capital, Brian Frankle of Indigo Partners, and Alibaba co-founder Joe Tsai, who is also already invested in Mynt, or Gcash. Asia Society was instrumental in bringing in its network of investors who are already invested, or have expressed great interest in investing in the Philippines.

Duterte leaves office with record-high satisfaction rating

by Xave GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Former President Rodrigo Duterte stepped down from Malacañang with a recordhigh satisfaction rating, according to a poll released Friday, September 23.

According to private pollster Social Weather Stations, Duterte received an “excellent” +81 net satisfaction rating in the last days of his presidency, beating his previous record of +79 in November 2020.

Duterte’s final satisfaction rating is 16 points higher than the “very good” +65 he received in April, which the SWS attributed to the rise in satisfaction with the president’s performance across all regions.

The net satisfaction rating is the difference between the number of Filipinos who said they were satisfied with Duterte as president and those who said they were dissatisfied.

In the survey conducted from June 26 to June 29 with 1,500 respondents,

88% of adult Filipinos said they were satisfied with Duterte as president, while 7% were dissatisfied and 5% were undecided.

Those satisfied with Duterte rose by 10 points from the last survey conducted in April, while those dissatisfied fell by six points and those undecided fell by four points.

The former president logged new record-high satisfaction ratings in Metro Manila, Balance Luzon and Visayas, where he went from “very good”

to “excellent,” while he remained “excellent” in his home region of Mindanao.

Duterte’s performance was also rated as “excellent” in both urban and rural areas, by both men and women, in all age groups and educational groups.

Satisfaction with Duterte was higher among families who called themselves “non-hungry” at +83, while families who reported to have experienced severe hunger rated the former president +56. n

DOT to build tourism rest areas across PH

by Ghio onG Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to launch the construction of 10 so-called “tourist service areas” across the country next month.

During a meeting with business leaders in New York where President Marcos held a working visit, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco declared the groundbreaking of the 10 tourist service areas is part of the agency’s “strategies for tourism development.”

She highlighted that the tourist rest areas would contain “clean restrooms,” which she described as “the most basic aspect of travel.”

“We plan to address the most basic aspect of travel across the Philippines:

clean restrooms. I’m very pleased to inform you that in the first week of October, under the directive of the President, we are breaking ground on no less than 10 tourist rest areas across the Philippines. Three in Luzon, five in the Visayas and two in Mindanao,” she said.

She added aside from “clean and decent restrooms for our tourists,” the tourist rest areas would also feature “a lounge for them to rest in, complete information on tourist destinations, as well as pasalubong centers for them to be able to purchase local products and delicacies.”

The DOT came up with the construction of the tourist service areas upon orders from President Marcos, whom Frasco said has “clearly identified tourism as a major tool for the economic resurgence of the Philippines.” n

Concepcion: Private sector helped...

PAGE 6

President’s visit. He added that it is now up to the private sector to maximize the favorable business environment under the Marcos administration.

“The president has quite cleverly gotten 30 of our country’s busiest CEOs to voluntarily work for him,” said Aboitiz CEO Sabin Aboitiz, who also is the convenor Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), a group of leading businessmen directly advising the President.

“The private sector was in full force during the three major business briefings during the visit,” said Go Negosyo founder and RFM President and CEO Joey Concepcion, who also heads the Jobs committee of the PSAC.

“I think that the president’s winning the biggest mandate in Philippine history inspired the private sector to join in this bid to make the country a great investment destination. Likewise, it reflected in how the foreign investors were eager to connect with us, seeing how well attended the briefings were and how the meetings were on time

and went on as scheduled,” Concepcion added.

Concepcion told the private gathering at Asia Society that the Philippines presents huge opportunities for foreign investors, especially in the area of public-private partnerships. He said public-private sector partnerships have met with success in the country, as proven by the country’s experience during the pandemic where privatepublic sector cooperation was crucial in securing vaccines, supporting mass testing, and coordinating with enforced lockdowns.

He added that these opportunities include a chance to promote inclusive growth in the country through MSMEs, which comprise almost all of the enterprises in the Philippines.

“Our desire is to make this growth more inclusive; not just us, the big corporations, but the whole nation,” he said, adding that large corporations must help small enterprises scale up.

“The opportunities in the Philippines are huge, and many still remain untapped,” he said. “There may be

a lot of headwinds but we’re making progress,” he said.

The Philippines private sector at the Asia Society meeting was represented by the heads of the largest companies in the Philippines, including PSAC convenor and Aboitiz CEO Sabin Aboitiz, RFM Corp. president and CEO Joey Concepcion, Ayala Corp chairman Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Magsaysay Holdings CEO Doris Magsaysay Ho, JG Summit CEO Lance Gokongwei, GCash President Martha Sazon, and MDI founder Myla Villanueva.

The private meeting preceded the public address and discussion with the President hosted by Asia Society president and former Australia Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.

President Marcos and his economic managers have emphasized the important role of private sector participation in the administration’s near- and medium-term agenda, and how it will support it through newly enacted liberalization laws and a healthy, productive workforce. (Philstar. com) n

Rise in PH working-age population boon

by Kaithreen Cruz ManilaTimes.net

THE Commission on Population and Development (PopCom) highlighted the important role of a robust working-age population in achieving socioeconomic development through a state of demographic dividend, with the 64 percent ratio of working-age Filipinos in 2020.

The PopCom referenced the latest Philippine Statistics Authority’s Labor Force Survey, which indicates a continued rise in the employment rate at 94.8 percent in July 2022, estimated at 47.39 million employed people, compared to the 41.67 million in the same period in 2021.

During the seventh edition of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific-Committee on Social Development earlier this month, PopCom Officer in Charge Executive Director (OIC-ED) Lolito Tacardon said that the steadily increasing proportion of the Philippines’ working age aligned with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s goal to reinvigorate job creation and poverty reduction.

“Over the medium term, the agenda will focus on creating more [secured jobs] and social protection and retaining an adequate and productive workforce... Retooling and reskilling, as well as the institution of effective job-facilitation processes to increase the employability of job seekers, will be strategically pursued,” Tacardon added.

He said that the economy could be steered back to a highgrowth path and economic transformation for a prosperous, inclusive and resilient society. n

SC warns vs...

“ideal” justice system free from “terrorist vermin.”

He quoted her saying in a post that her organization “will start bombing the offices of these corrupt judges who are friends of terrorists even if they kneel before us and beg for their lives.”

Another group that spoke against Badoy was the BPO Industry Employees Network (BIEN) which said in a statement that its former president, Lean Porquia, was also red-tagged by Badoy after Porquia tweeted about her threats against Malagar.

Badoy allegedly called Porquia, son of slain Bayan Muna leader in Iloilo Jory Porquia, a “CPP-NPA-NDF active operative” and the BIEN a “front organization for infiltration” of the BPO industry.

“These vilifications can lead to threats, harassment, surveillance and may even escalate to illegal arrests, trumped-up charges or extrajudicial killings,” the group said.

—With reports from Jeannette I. Andrade, Dona Z. Pazzibugan And Inquirer Research n

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco Philstar.com photo

Workers are seen inside a construction site along Roxas and Macapagal Boulevards in Pasay City, on 4 June 2022. ManilaTimes.net photo by Mike Alquinto

Station Casinos plans to build 67-acre hotel-casino project in North Las Vegas

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THE North Las Vegas Planning Commission recently approved Station Casinos’ plans to build a 67-acre hotel-casino at the northwest corner of Losee Road and the 215 Beltway, it was recently reported in the Las Vegas ReviewJournal

This project, according to the report, will be built in two phases. When completed, it will feature

600 hotel rooms, more than 75,700 square feet of casino space, and include restaurants, a movie theater, banquet facilities and other amenities.

A Station representative told the planning commission that the proposed development will provide more than 1,100 construction jobs and, at project’s completion, up to 840 permanent full-time

jobs.

The company’s proposed project is scheduled to go before the commission for a first reading and a vote in October.

Station Casinos’ parent company is Red Rock Resorts, which has been a busy player in the real estate field lately.

Red Rock recently announced that a trio of casinos shuttered during the pandemic – Fiesta Hendeson, Fiesta Rancho and Texas Station – will be closed for good, torn down and the land sold.

According to Red Rock, the decision to close the three properties were due to the fact that, despite their popularity, patrons who frequented the establishments have switched over to other Station casinos.

Currently, there are no mentioned interested buyers for the land on which the three casinos sit on, which is a total of 107.5 acres.

The locals-oriented casino company sold the Palms

casino property for about $650 million in 2021.

Red Rock Resorts, in addition to a property with its own name in Summerlin and Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, operates multiple gaming properties under the Station brand throughout Las Vegas. It also runs 10 Wildfire casinos, which includes seven properties in the

Henderson area.

The company is also looking to cement on its status as the dominant operator of localsoriented casinos, with the construction of a Wildfire casino in the downtown area, specifically along the busy Fremont Street tourist destination.

A statement issued by Red Rock Resorts said that

they are “excited to bring a new Wildfire casino with fresh new amenities to the local residents of downtown Las Vegas.”

Wildfire Casinos are said to be typically heavy on slot machines and video poker. It also features casual and affordable dining options that cater to Las Vegas locals.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman attended the Commercial Alliance Symposium sponsored by the Las Vegas Realtors association to gain more insight on real estate trends that she can share with her clientele.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (2nd from right) with her new wave of Pahrump investors from San Antonio, Texas and Guam.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman’s investors from the Bay Area keep buying more land in Pahrump.

Fil-Am ex-border officer sentenced...

PAGE 2

At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones imposed the sentence of two years of probation, noting Evaristo had lost her career in public service and was unlikely to reoffend.”

According to court records, in late 2012, Evaristo was approached by a cousin about a sham marriage after she attended her brother’s funeral in the Philippines.

She agreed to the sham marriage in exchange for $20,000 with half paid at the start of the scheme and the other half when the fake spouse obtained citizenship.

Evaristo applied for a fiancé visa for the fake spouse, he traveled to the U.S. in 2015, and the couple was “married” in San Diego.

In 2017, the couple applied for citizenship for the “spouse,” and in 2019, again lied in their interview about the sham marriage to try to obtain citizenship.

The investigation began when Evaristo improperly used her access to a federal

law enforcement database to check on the immigration status of her sham husband.

CBP officers looking into the improper access knew Evaristo was dating another person and so began to unravel the sham marriage scheme. When Evaristo was interviewed in 2021, she admitted to the scheme.

Evaristo was indicted in September 2021. She pleaded guilty in May 2022.

In recommending a probationary sentence, prosecutors noted that Evaristo is the single parent of infant twins: “Evaristo has experienced significant consequences of her crime that go beyond a custodial sentence: She lost her job at CBP—a job she spent years securing and that afforded her a comfortable income—and now works a lowerwage warehouse job. These consequences along with the restricted liberty of probation reflect the seriousness of the crime and are likely to deter any future criminal conduct,” prosecutors wrote in their sentencing memo. (Inquirer.net) n

A very successful US trip...

PAGE 5

Bongbong Marcos as smart because he was able to get 30 of the Philippines’ busiest CEOs to “voluntarily work for him and our country.”

The President’s schedule was arranged in such a way that even dinners became meetings with American business executives coming from various industries, along with discussions from organizations such as the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as well as the World Bank.

The main event was of course his speech at the 77th UN General Assembly, where he told the world that we are a country that seeks global peace, underscoring “our open, inclusive and rules-based international order that is governed by international law and informed by the principles of equity and of justice” as we continue to be “a friend to all, and an enemy of none.”

PBBM called attention to climate change as the greatest threat affecting nations and the people, saying “the time for talk about if and when has long since passed – it is here and now.” He called on industrialized nations to act responsibly as the effects of climate change are “uneven and reflect an historical injustice: Those who are least responsible suffer the most,” among them the Philippines.

The President also spoke about existential threats and the transcendent challenges of our times that are as consequential as those the world faced 77 years ago when the UN was founded. Saying the world is at a watershed

moment and is ready for transformation, he enjoined world leaders to work together, to stand united and achieve success for the peoples of the world.

It was an excellent, well delivered speech that people thought was very well written.

The President himself had been working on it for some time, adding ideas and keeping at it for the past month. As usual, the sour-graping naysayers started posting that hardly anyone heard the President speak at the UN General Assembly hall. The fact is, many permanent representatives usually watch it from their mission offices.

One of the highlights of the visit was PBBM’s meeting with Dr. Henry Kissinger, who came over to the President’s hotel. The former U.S. State secretary – who has been described as “a master of the geopolitical chessboard” – was still very sharp at 99 and had fond memories of president Marcos Sr. and Mrs. Imelda Marcos. During their oneon-one, the President had good insights from Dr. Kissinger on what the world was before, and the political challenges the world faces today. The President truly appreciated Dr. Kissinger’s insights that were extremely valuable.

The most awaited engagement was President BBM’s bilateral meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden. I accompanied the President together with Secretary Ricky Manalo and Secretary Diokno, House Speaker Martin Romualdez who brought along Senior Deputy Majority Leader Rep.

Station Casinos plans to build...

PAGE 9

Aside from the casino in the downtown area, Red Rock is also busy constructing a Durango project in Southwestern Las Vegas. The project is expected to include a 73,000-square-foot casino, sports book, a 200-room hotel, four restaurants and meeting space. That resort will sit on the intersection of Durango Drive and Interstate 215.

Although it is not a dominant player in the downtown area nor does it have a presence along the Strip, Red Rock Resorts, via its many casino properties in the Las Vegas area and neighboring communities, is a huge player in the gaming arena. Its emphasis on serving Las Vegas locals may

well play to its advantage, as the area’s population continues to grow, courtesy of retirees who are moving to Nevada due to the lower cost of living and those who are moving to the area for other reasons, including employment and business opportunities.

Many Californians who have moved to Nevada are also benefitting local casino properties as they are not as affected by the changing numbers of workers in the construction arena and those who work in other casino properties.

Indeed, these are busy times for Red Rock Resorts and its Station Casinos and Wildfire brands. Its goal is to double its portfolio by 2030, and the projects it is currently undertaking are

just the tip of the iceberg in Red Rock Resorts’ long-term bid to widen its reach.

While news of a housing slowdown has dominated recently, there is still a lot of construction going on in Las Vegas, with many planned casino-resorts and other mega projects opening within the next few years. That means continued employment for many, and a bevy of permanent jobs that will be available when these projects are nearing completion or are completed. And many of those jobs are not in the gaming industry, but are in other fields which include hospitality, conventions and sports.

If you are looking to buy property or land in Las Vegas or neighboring areas, now is the time to make that investment. You will be able to negotiate with sellers as there is more inventory available, and you will be able to look for that piece of land/property which can fit your budget, plans and dreams.

I have many decades of experience in assisting clients who are looking for their first home, second/ vacation homes, investment properties or land (for future use/development). I can assist you in looking for these opportunities. Many of my clients have begun to reap the benefits of their investments, including turning their properties to rentals or Airbnb, or getting a good return on investment for the properties they bought in previous years.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-5384948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days. (Advertising Supplement)

Sandro Marcos. President Biden has always been a warm and friendly person and the two leaders hit it off very well. I must admit that it gives me a great feeling that we are truly on the right track regarding our relationship with the United States.

We were hoping BBM could stay longer but it was clear his schedule was already packed full once he arrives in Manila. While the amount of business pledges is normally used to evaluate the outcome of a President’s overseas trip, I personally think

that the success of this U.S. trip could not be measured simply in terms of the amount of potential investments but more in terms of elevating the country’s profile in ways that are immeasurable. (Philstar.com)

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

babeseyeview@gmail.com

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702) 538-4948, or send email to fely@precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

SAFE HAVEN. Families whose houses were affected by typhoon-induced flash floods are temporarily housed at the Delpan Sports Complex in Tondo, Manila on Monday, Sept. 26. The Manila local government provided modular tents and food packs for at least 67 families as Typhoon Karding placed Metro Manila under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 4 on Sept. 25.

PNA photo by Ben Briones

COMMUNITY

JOURNAL

IF our viewers have wondered what the role of the Attorney General for the State of California is, they will get their answers, when Citizen Pinoy airs California’s “Attorney of the People” encore episode this Sunday, October 2.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, the first Filipino American appointed as Attorney General, is Citizen Pinoy’s special guest, where he will share his background and his family’s immigration story, and efforts to enhance the freedoms and rights of various groups, including farm workers.

Viewers will also learn about the most significant legislation that Bonta has authored through the years, and actions he has

‘The Attorney of the People,’ CA Atty General Rob Bonta sits down with

Atty Michael Gurfinkel on an encore, special episode of Citizen Pinoy

CA ATTORNEY GENERAL ROB BONTA IS SPECIAL GUEST AT CITIZEN PINOY EPISODE. Citizen Pinoy host Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (R) features California Attorney General Rob Bonta (L), the first Fil-Am appointed as Attorney General, as his special guest, where they discuss the role of an Attorney General, as well as Attorney General Bonta’s accomplishments that have impacted the people, among other things. Watch this very informative and inspiring special featuring Attorney General Bonta, the first Fil-Am to serve as California Attorney General, on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, October 2 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

AS we lower our guard against COVID-19 because cases are decreasing, unvaccinated individuals, the prime target of the coronavirus, are becoming incubators (where the virus replicates, mutates) and carriers/spreaders churning out new Omicron subvariants. As a consequence, we now have BA.4.6 and BF.7, as the predominant BA.5 decreases. In the United States, more than 106 million are unvaccinated; in the Philippines, about 37 million are not vaccinated.

BA.4.6 was responsible for nearly 12 percent of the cases last week and is now the most predominant strain behind BA.5. BF.7, an “offshoot” of BA.5, accounts for 2 percent of the COVID-19 cases.

While the cases are coming down, the data show that, as of last Tuesday, September 26, the daily average cases are still high – about 52,539 a day, with 417 deaths each day, 29,443 hospitalized. In the Philippines, about 66.4 percent (72.7 million) have full vaccination; 68 percent of the people in the United States (224,113,439) are fully vaccinated, and only 33 percent (108,806,974) got a booster shot. The vaccination rate for the new bivalent booster is very low, as people start having a false sense of security and becoming bolder and casual.

The question now is whether the new reformulated bivalent boosters, which were redesigned primarily for BA.4 and BA.5, would be effective against these two new sub-variants of Omicron. Only time can tell as clinical pictures evolve. In the meantime, we urge everyone to be fully vaccinated, including the new Pfizer-BioNT or Moderna bivalent vaccines, which could be interchanged. Both are equally good. When it comes to virus infection, nothing beats the value (effectiveness) of vaccines.

COVID-19 impacts brain U.S. researchers reported on Thursday, September 22 that “people who had COVID-19 are at higher risk for a host of brain injuries a year later compared with

BA.4.6, BF.7 are here!

people who were never infected by the coronavirus, a finding that could affect millions of Americans.”

The most common symptoms are memory impairments, labelled as brain fog, which 77 percent of those who had COVID-19 infection are prone to have. Fifty percent of them are also likely to have ischemic stroke, which is caused by blood clots, compared to those who never got infected. Those who were infected also have 80 percent higher risk to have seizures, 43 percent more likely to have mental health issues, like anxiety and depression, 35 percent likely to have headaches, and 42 percent at higher risk to suffer movement problems, like tremors, compared to non-infected individuals.

This is a vital reason why everyone has to be careful to avoid getting COVID-19 infection, even if the symptoms from the Omicron sub-variants are usually milder, because the potential future “side-effects” could be devastating.

Exercise in a pill

The old-fashioned, timetested physical exercise is universally known to confer great health benefits, not only for the muscles and bones, but also for the cardiovascular system and the body as a whole, including a person’s mental health. Brisk walking for those still able to do it, no matter how old the person is, is highly recommended more than jogging. The long-term side effect of jogging is trauma to the spine, the hip joints, knee joints, and the ankles, which show up in the later years.

Scientists reported recently that they found a drug that “apparently mimics the effects of vigorous exercise” in laboratory mice. The “exercise in a pill” is called locamidazole (LAMZ). While it did reinvigorate the muscles and bones, as does physical exercise, they are not sure if the benefits would be the same as conferred by actual physical exercise. If adequate studies show that it is applicable to humans down to the molecular level, it might be relegated to those where physical exercise is no longer safe or practical. For all others, we would continue to do our routine standard exercise.

Tea and diabetes

Scientists investigated the effects of drinking various types of tea (black, green, oolong) on diabetic risk, and found that drinking 1-3 cups of tea decreased the risk for diabetes type 2 somewhat but drinking 4 or more cups a day was associated with 17 percent lower risk. There are around 422 million people around the world with diabetes mellitus type 2. This study was a meta-analysis of 19 cohort studies from eight countries presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes Annual Meeting in Stockholm, Sweden. More extensive studies on a global scale are needed to confirm these findings.

Cardio-nuclear scan

To increase the value of a stress test, Thallium-201 or technetium-99m sestamibi (Cardiolite) are two radioactive ingredients given intravenously (nuclear perfusion scan) during the stress test at the point of maximum exercise. This combo then becomes more useful for heart test for evaluation of coronary artery disease. It shows the blood flow in the coronary arteries and looks for blockages in the arteries and the affected region of the heart.

A stress test alone could show a false negative result among individuals whose tolerance to exercise is high, in spite of possible blockage in the coronary artery. With this perfusion scan, the accurate condition of the coronary artery flow is revealed even if the plain stress test comes out normal. Hence, stress test and nuclear scan perfusion are done together as a standard procedure in cardiology today.

Chronotype

Chronotype tells us what time of the day individuals tend to be more active. Those who wake up early and active in the morning are “early birds,” and those who stay up late and take a longer time to start in the morning are “night owls.”

Recent studies revealed that night owls may have greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease than early birds. Sleeping more than 8 hours a day also have the same risk as night owls.

Flu or COVID shots? Since the flu season is here and COVID-19 is expected to rise again in the fall and winter, the question

Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla honor ‘solid fans’ in 11th anniversary thanksgiving

By Dana Cruz Inquirer.net

KATHRYN Bernardo and Daniel Padilla held a thanksgiving event for their loyal fans as part of the 11th-anniversary celebration of their love team.

The celebrity couple can be seen posing for photos, shaking hands and giving certificates of appreciation to fans in the thanksgiving event, as seen on talent agency Star Magic’s Instagram page on Tuesday, Sept. 27. The gathering was hosted by celebrity impersonator KaladKaren and radio host DJ JhaiHo.

While the event is for “solid fans,” Padilla also expressed appreciation to those who may not be actively following his and Bernardo’s careers, telling them he understands that everyone has to deal with their own lives as well, as seen on DJ JhaiHo’s Instagram post on Monday, Sept. 26.

“Ang bilis ng panahon. Hindi lang naman sa’min maraming nangyari kundi malamang pati sa mga buhay niyo ang maraming nangyari,” Padilla told them. (Time goes by fast. Not only did a lot happen to us, but probably a lot happened in your lives as well.)

For her part, Bernardo admitted she is at a loss for words to explain how grateful she is of her fans.

“No words can explain how thankful we are sa grabe niyong pagmamahal. Ang daming

nagmamahal pero iba kayong magmahal,” she said. (No words can explain how thankful we are for your amazing love. So many people express love, but your love is different.)

Meanwhile, Bernardo’s mother, Min, thanked KathNiel fans while showing a blank certificate of appreciation to fans who showed “extraordinary support” for the love team, as seen on her Instagram page on Monday, September 26.

“Gusto man namin na andito kayo lahat dahil sa walang sawang support sa KathNiel, need natin mag-adhere pa rin sa safety protocols. Sharing with all of you this appreciation certificate [because] Team KathNiel, Team Kathryn and Team Daniel APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU,” she said.

(While we want all of you to be here because of your support for KathNiel, we need to adhere to safety protocols. Sharing with all of you this appreciation certificate because Team KathNiel, Team Kathryn and Team Daniel appreciate all of you.)

Bernardo and Padilla, who have been a real-life couple for 10 years, marked their love team’s 11th anniversary earlier this month.

The pair first worked together in the 2011 youth-oriented series “Growing Up,” then starred in various films and TV shows together, including “The Hows of Us,” “Princess and I,” “La Luna Sangre” and “Barcelona: A Love Untold,” among others. n

‘The Attorney of the People,’ CA...

11

taken, that benefited the people. He also explains the role of an Attorney General.

Watch the inspiring story of Attorney General Rob Bonta on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” this Sunday at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement)

Kathryn Bernado (2nd from left) and Daniel Padilla (extreme right) with a fan. Photo from Instagram/@starmagicphils

Gary Valenciano embarks on US Tour this Fall 2022

Mr. Pure Energy has sold out in two cities

MR. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano returns to the U.S. in “Gary V ReEnergized!” raring to go onstage with a live band and guests Yeng Constantino and Kiana V. Gary V, as he is called by fans, has sold out in Cache Creek and Temecula.

Still available but low in ticket stock are Seattle (Sept 30) at the Pantages Tacoma, Los Angeles (October 9) at Royce Hall UCLA, Dallas (Oct 15) at Texas Hall UT Arlington, Anchorage (Oct 21) and New York (Oct 23).

His concerts often sell out since he always puts together a sensational show. It’s a repertoire of familiar tunes which he puts in new staging and new settings. He is every bit the creative and producer of his work, whether it be a recorded release, a video on social media or a live concert.

Coming out of a pandemic brings even more to look forward to as he mentions in a recent interview with SoCal Filipinos. He wants nothing more than to be in front of an audience. Inspirational hits from “Take Me Out Of The Dark,” and “Could You Be Messiah” to the upbeat “Shout For Joy” brings audiences to their feet like “Hataw Na” where Gary V displays his signature dance moves.

It’s as if he has released music for every aspect of our lives. From catchy pop hits “Di Bale Nalang,” and “Wag Mo Na Sanang Isipin,” to soaring ballads like “Sana Maulit Muli,” “How Did You Know”, Gary V, as he is more affectionately known has made 39 album releases, documented on www.Gary V.com.

In this concert “Gary V ReEnergized!” directed by Paolo Valenciano and musical

direction by his longtime collaborator Mon Faustino, Gary V will be presenting new arrangements, a new duet with Yeng Constantino and more surprises that just shows the overflowing of talent and showmanship that he is known for.

As the song goes “Babalik Ka Rin,” Gary V keeps coming back on to the concert stage because the audience simply cannot get enough. A Gary V show is truly a memorable experience, proven by his track record of sold out shows all over the world.

Log on to www.starmediaentertainment. com for more information, email buy@ maitickets.com or call/text (818) 337-1665 (Seattle, Los Angeles and Seattle only.) For events of Music Arts International, visit www. maitickets.com

The Los Angeles producers Music Arts International LLC and promoter Starmedia Entertainment and Manila Genesis thank media partners Asian Journal, iWant TV, TFC The Filipino Channel and sponsors Varsobia Luxury Homes, T-Mobile, ChimeTV, Philippine Airlines, Tancinco Law Offices, BayaniPay, National Diversity Coalition (NDC) and the National Asian American Coalition (NAAC), Atty JR Canlobo of JRC Law, Leo Bato and Associates, Valencia Financial Agency, Seafood City, Fiesta Fastfood, Alaala Arckopolis Records, David Banes of Onyx Auto Collection, Regal Estate Gal Janice Jimenez, Bamboo Bistro, Max and Lucy’s, Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA, SoCal Filipinos and community partner the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles.

(Advertising Supplement)

Joanna Ampil is 1st woman to play Miss Saigon’s The Engineer

By Nathalie tomada Philstar.com

AFTER playing Kim in Miss Saigon “countless times,” Joanna Ampil has been cast as The Engineer in the bold, new production of the Cameron Mackintosh mega musical.

This marks the first time that a woman — and a Filipina at that — will play the iconic role once essayed by British actor Jonathan Pryce and fellow Filipinos Jon Jon Briones and Leo Valdez.

In the announcement made on Thursday, September 22 the new Miss Saigon will be staged in the United Kingdom at the historic The Crucible at Sheffield Theatres, home to “world-class productions and groundbreaking theater.” Scheduled to open in the summer of 2023, it will be directed by Sheffield artistic director Robert Hastie and associate artistic director Anthony Lau.

Joanna is no stranger to Miss Saigon, having played Kim in the London’s West End, original Australian production, original UK and Ireland Tour and the 10th Anniversary Performance. She can also be heard as Kim in the Complete International Symphonic Recording of Miss Saigon.

But the singer and stage veteran is making musical theater history via the “reimagined” version of The Engineer in a production that holds a special place in her heart.

“I am beyond thrilled to be the first woman to play the role of Engineer in this exhilarating reimagination of this most beloved musical which is so close to my heart,” Joanna said in a statement.

She recalled that she just turned 17 when she nabbed the female lead role during an open-call audition.

“Back then, they were looking for 18-year-old girls for the role of Kim in Manila. After a series of call-backs, I landed the role and immediately moved to London with my mother. As a teenager, it was my professional, theatrical and West End debut rolled into one,” she said.

“To have played Kim in different productions, countless of times, and to have had my first taste

of recording with The Complete International Symphonic Recording of the show, it feels like a full circle moment to pave the way for this historical gender-bending casting.”

She thanked the directors for enlisting her for the new Miss Saigon and Mackintosh for “allowing this to happen at The Crucible and for all the breakthrough opportunities he has bestowed upon me all these years.”

“To give new life to this musical which changed my life and to sing the beloved score of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil once again is a wild dream coming true,” she stated.

With this undertaking, she aims to champion the Asian perspective, address some of the “racist and misogynistic overtones” and execute the role as “a woman of strength, sensitivity, grit, complete with flaws and a whole lot of heart.”

She hopes it will open doors to fellow actors, regardless of their race, sexual orientation, gender identity and religious beliefs, as well as push for more color-blind casting and representation.

Joanna is currently part of the London and UK Tour of Chichester Festival Theatre’s production of South Pacific as Bloody Mary. She’s set to be Grizabella anew in the Winter 2022-2023 tour of Cats in South Korea. Meanwhile, the retelling of Miss Saigon, which is

about the doomed love story between an American soldier and a young Vietnamese bar girl, is presented by special arrangement with Mackintosh, according to producers.

Robert Hastie, Sheffield Theatres artistic director, said in a statement that their production is the first in the UK to be given permission to explore novel approaches to staging and casting since the original 1989 Miss Saigon.

“Anthony and I are thrilled to be codirecting Boublil and Schönberg’s iconic show, and could not be more excited to be welcoming Joanna Ampil to Sheffield to play The Engineer,” he said.

Anthony Lau, on the other hand, stated how excited they are to offer a fresh perspective on a musical that has “one of the most extraordinary scores” in theater history, and a theme that “many people have an opinion on.”

“We want this project to ignite conversation and Cameron has encouraged us to be bold and original in our approach. The subject matter compels us to delve sensitively and deeply into the complications of two cultures entwined,” Lau further said.

“At a time when it feels like there is more division than ever in society, epic stories like this give us the opportunity to embrace nuance and complexity in exploring the human experience.” n

Joanna, who has previously played Kim in the London, Sydney, UK touring and 10th anniversary productions of Miss Saigon, has been cast as The Engineer in the ‘reimagined’ Cameron Mackintosh musical.

Photo by JC Inocian

‘Lahi’: Reina Bonta talks about how the multi-generational Fil-Am experience inspired direc torial debut

by Donnabelle GatDula arevalo / AJPress

“Primarily, I am constantly struck by the privilege associated with having a living grandparent, who existed through and was a critical piece in major historical and cultural events, have such a sharp memory and be so eager to share about her experiences. I’ve wanted to, for a few years, find a way to document her life story for future generations to commemorate, “says Bonta, age 23, when asked about her motivation in making her short film.

LAHI, a Tagalog word for race or legacy, is a short film about cultural identity filmed in Hawaii. It is inspired by Bonta’s own experiences as a thirdgeneration Filipina, as well as the life of her lola Cynthia, a WWII survivor who was born and raised in the Philippines.

Specifically, the 21-minute “LAHI” tells a story of a young, culturallydisconnected Filipina girl named “Mimi” who returns to O’ahu for her grandmother’s funeral. On the island, she embarks on a journey to return a family heirloom and is visited by the apparition of her grandmother and elders whose stories about Filipino identity turn her worldview upside down.

“I saw this work as an opportunity to create a narrative-infused archive of my lola’s incredible life story, as well as flex my imagination and the creative possibilities of a short film,” says Bonta, daughter of Rob Bonta, California’s first Filipino Attorney General, and Mia Bonta, assemblymember for California’s 18th Assembly District.

“I often refer to ‘LAHI’ as a love letter to my lola, and by casting her in the film as well, I was able to deepen our relationship in new, profound ways,” she added.

Recently graduated with distinction at Yale University with Bachelor of

Arts in Film and Media Studies, Bonta reckons her love for filmmaking began at a tender age.

“To some degree, I believe I was always drawn to film. When I was about five years old, and a ball of unbridled energy disrupting the house, my mother would hand me a disposable camera and send me into the backyard to ‘turn my energy into art’,” she recalls.

Growing up, she remembers also taking on photography from an early age, which naturally evolved into her deep love for film. “The year I spent away from Yale during the pandemic of 2020-2021 really affirmed this passion as something real and viable as a career for myself, building upon my lessons in the classroom,” she said. Some of her photography were featured in worldrenowned publications including Forbes Magazine.

Her passion for film intensified further when she got to spend a lot of time in the film/movie industry during the past few years.

“I spent the first half of the year working as a production assistant

in Hawaii on a multi-million dollar CBS television show, and the second half of the year working on-location in Kenya on a documentary project about endangered black rhinos on a wildlife conservancy and the rangers that protect them from poachers,” she says.

“These incredible experiences allowed me to learn about film in a new and adventurous way, outside of a more classically pedagogical learning environment, and cemented my passion for it,” adds Bonta, born and raised in California, who is now currently based in Brooklyn, New York.

Bonta is also a life-long competitive soccer player like her father. Rob, who also attended Yale University where he graduated cum laude with a B.A. in History in 1993, played on the Yale Bulldogs men’s soccer team. The young Bonta is currently playing with the Philippines Women’s National Team in preparation for the 2023 FIFA World Cup.

In this ever-changing world, Bonta believes that it’s nice that some culture and traditions remain the same as reflected in the film.

“In my eyes, the (film) story itself is reflected in the act of making it... both center on a young, third-generation Filipina engaging in a journey towards cultural reconnection. During a modern time where people may grow further from their cultural roots, ‘LAHI’ is a reminder that preserving and honoring culture, specifically Filipino culture, is still a virtue of my generation,” she opines.

Bonta comes from a family of Filipino and Puerto Rican activists, which deeply informs all of her pursuits as a storyteller.

After viewing the film, she hopes that

LOS ANGELES — Emerging Filipina American filmmaker Reina Gabriela Bonta says her earnest love for her family’s roots is what gave rise to her directorial debut, “LAHI.”

A still from LAHI shows Mimi (played by Tiki Willis) at the thrift store.

Photos courtesy of Reina Bonta

Reina Bonta

‘Tignan natin’: Kim Chiu not closing door to sexy roles

MANILA — Kapamilya actress Kim Chiu is not closing the door to sexy roles in movies.

In an interview with the media during the premiere night of her movie “Always” with real-life sweetheart Xian Lim, Kim was asked if she is ready to do daring roles.

“Matured, mas matured. Tignan natin. Depende naman sa story,” Kim answered.

“Parang itong ‘Always’ ano lang ‘to, kalma lang,” she added.

Produced by Viva Films, Kim and Xian star in the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean romantic movie “Always,” which started showing in cinemas on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The original K-movie starred Korean film and TV stars So Ji-sub (“Oh My Venus,” “Doctor Lawyer”) and Han Hyo-joo (“Dong Yi,” “Happiness”). The movie has several adaptations from different countries like Turkey, India and Japan.

“Always” is a romantic drama about two people with different outlooks in life, both damaged by the cruelties of the world — one physically

and the other emotionally.

One faithful night brings the two lead characters together as Anna (Kim), a blind woman who often hangs out in a parking booth, finds out that it now has a new attendant, a former boxer and a mysterious, sad-looking man named Lino (Xian). Despite Lino’s dismissive attitude, Anna stays and even goes back nights after to hang out at Lino’s parking booth. Through shared snacks and Anna’s warm presence, Lino’s walls begin to crumble. He starts to open up and be at ease with Anna, a feeling he has not felt in a long time.

As each day passes, Lino becomes more protective and caring of Anna. They start to feel something more for each other, and their blossoming romance starts to flourish. But Lino’s dark past catches up with him, and it becomes a hindrance to their relationship.

“Always” is adapted into a screenplay by awardwinning writer Mel MendozaDel Rosario and directed by Dado C. Lumibao. (By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com) n

BF.7 are...

is which vaccine to get first?

Experts say the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 booster may be received at the same time (one in each arm) or taken separately. What is important, especially for seniors, is that people able to receive the shots get them in a timely fashion, which is now.

Contact lenses

A clinical study shows that reusable contact lenses may increase the risk of contracting a rare, serious, preventable eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. This infection could lead to blindness.

Around 85 percent of this uncommon infection is seen among those who use reusable contact lenses and rarely among those who use disposable lenses. Making sure that hands touching the lenses are clean is vital to avoiding infections.

Lea Salonga named Time magazine’s TIME100 Impact Awardee

By Dana Cruz Inquirer.net

LEA Salonga has been recognized as one of the honorees of Time magazine’s TIME100 Impact Awards, which is given to personalities who have “gone above and beyond” to move their respective industries forward.

The actress-singer was called a “role model for children of color” for playing the singing voices of Disney’s Jasmine and Mulan from the 1990s animated films “Aladdin” and “Mulan,” as per Time on Sunday, Sept. 25 (Sept. 26 in the Philippines).

Salonga was also described as someone who “prides herself on promoting representation in Hollywood and on

Broadway, and showing underrepresented groups that their stories matter.”

“All of a sudden, the people that look like me had a princess,” Salonga remembers thinking at the time she played Mulan. “She brings honor to herself

and to her family… and she does it with grace.”

Joining Salonga on the list of awardees are English singer-songwriter Ellie Goulding, American rapper Will.i.am, and former director of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope

Program Gregory L. Robinson, among others.

Aside from her work as a singer, Salonga appeared in various stage productions. Her first professional theatrical performance was for a Filipino production of “The King and I,” when she was 7 years old. She was also the first Asian woman to play Eponine in the musical “Les Misérables” on Broadway.

Salonga is notably known for playing the Vietnamese prostitute Kim in the 1989 production of “Miss Saigon,” where she won a Tony Award.

The singer currently appears as the overbearing mom Elodie in HBO Max’s “Pretty Littler Liars: Original Sin,” the prequel series to the American drama series “Pretty Little Liars.” n

‘Am I ready for a child?’: Heart Evangelista bares ups, downs of IVF

By Dana Cruz Inquirer.net

MANILA — Kapuso actress Heart Evangelista revealed that undergoing invitro-fertilization (IVF) treatment was “one of the toughest, challenging times”

of her life.

In fashion magazine L’Officiel Philippines’ September issue, Heart opened up about her experience undergoing IVF.

“With IVF, they inject you with fertility hormones. It was very difficult and painful. I had three injections a day over a two-week process,” she said.

“After harvesting and the processes that came after, they were able to gather the perfect boy and the perfect girl,” she added.

me, but I’m really at this stage in my life where [I ask myself]: ‘Do I want a child because I want a child?’ or ‘Do I want a child because the environment or culture dictates that I should have a child?’,” she said.

Heart advised other women to do what she has done because it “buys them time.”

* * *

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

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Heart suffered miscarriage last 2018. She said that she now has a baby boy and a baby girl waiting for her, but she asked herself if she’s ready to have a child.

“Am I ready for a child? I actually have a baby boy and a baby girl waiting for

“Any time they decide on having a child, the embryo is there. Whether you decide immediately or five years from now, there is no deadline. Also, the process is available in the Philippines and not just abroad,” she said.

Rumors about Heart and husband Chiz Escudero separating ways circulated earlier this month. The couple, however, neither confirmed nor denied the rumors. n

‘Lahi’: Reina Bonta talks about how...

PAGE 14

all supporters and audience members of LAHI will feel a renewed sense of optimism.

“LAHI” will be having its World Premiere at Portland Film Festival, screening on October 14 and 17. Simultaneously, it will also be screening on October 14, 5pm, at the San Diego Filipino Film Festival.

Bonta told the Asian Journal that “LAHI” has also been selected to be shown, in other festivals such as LA Femme International Film Festival (Los Angeles, CA), Twin Cities Film Festival (Minneapolis, Minnesota), and Hawai’i

International Film Festival (Honolulu, HI), within the months of October and November this year.

“LAHI” features exceptional performances by Tiki Willis as Mimi (debut lead performance, known for Magnum P.I., upcoming Netflix pilot project), Tessie Magaoay as Andrea, Virginia Almonte-Savella Harper as Gabriela, and Cynthia Bonta (Reina’s grandmother, lifelong activist) as Lola’s Apparition. DP Kilani Villiaros (NCIS: Hawaii), Producers Connie M. Florez (Waikiki) and Angelique Kalani Axelrode, and Executive Producer Bryan Spicer (24, Bones, The X Files)

are crew members of the project.

Asked about her future and upcoming projects after “LAHI,” Bonta says she is currently producing a narrative feature film called “Characters Disappearing”, which centers on the IWK (the less visible Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) counterpart to the Black Panthers and Young Lords who were instrumental to the 1970s Yellow Power Movement), and is primed for production in New York’s Chinatown in November of this year.

“As for my own directorial pursuits, I am exploring the concept of expanding “LAHI” into a feature,” she adds. n

Actress Heart Evangelista Instagram photo/@iamhearte

Lea Salonga Photo from Instagram/@msleasalonga