093022 - San Diego Edition

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. 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

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

Philippines now open for business — Marcos

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 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 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

Cratering peso touches 59-level as aggressive Fed props up dollar

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 U.S. 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 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

Survey: 63% of older AAPI women experience workplace discrimination

by Klarize MeDenilla AJPress

ASIAN American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women continue to experience workplace discrimination based on their gender, ethnicity, and age according to a new survey from AARP.

AARP, the nation’s leading advocacy group for senior citizens, released new results from the annual “Mirror/Mirror: Women’s Reflections on Beauty, Age, and Media” survey that seeks to understand

the intersections of gendered and racial discrimination in society.

According to the survey, about 56% of all working AAPI women aged 18 and above said they experienced workplace discrimination.

But for AAPI women aged 50 and above, that number increases to 63% who reported experiencing discrimination due to their age, also known as ageism.

Moreover, 78% of AAPI women aged 50 and above reported that, in addition to

Ex-Chief Justice Bersamin is Marcos’ new executive secretary Damage, losses in Agri sector due to Karding reach P1.29 billion — DA

After an uneasy week, Masungi forest protectors bag UN award

by DeMPsey reyes Inquirer.net

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 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.

by John eric MenDoza Inquirer.net

MANILA — The agricultural damage and losses due to Typhoon Karding is now at P1.29 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Tuesday, September 27.

The total said amount of damages have been reported in Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and Bicol Region, affecting82,158 farmers and fisherfolk in the

MANILA — Amid the many challenges it faces, including recent concerns caused by the presence of armed men in the area it is tasked to protect, the Masungi Georeserve Foundation (MGF) won an award from the United Nations for its efforts to restore and safeguard a 2,100-hectare rainforest in Rizal province and inspire the youth to “flip the script” for climate action.

Ann and Billie Dumaliang, trustees and cofounders of the foundation, received the UN Sustainable Development

Goals (SDGs) Action Award in ceremonies held in Bonn, Germany, on Tuesday (same day in Manila), September 27. The SDGs, a total of 17 interlinked global targets serving as a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future,” were set up in 2015 by the UN General Assembly. Intended to be achieved by 2030, the SDGs are an urgent call for action by all countries to recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go handin-hand with strategies that improve health and education,

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T

WORTH THE SACRIFICE. Masungi Georeserve Foundation (MGF) staff members celebrate the latest global recognition they have earned at the geopark’s weblike observation post. The colors represent the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals that bind countries to work for peace and prosperity.

MGF photo

U.S. President Joe Biden (right) takes part in a bilateral meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday, September 22 on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly. During their first face-to-face meeting, the two leaders spoke about the support for freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, the alliance between the two countries, and other opportunities such as climate action and infrastructure. AJPress photo by Troi Santos

by alexis roMero Philstar.com

National AARP poll describes connection between workplace bias, AAPI women’s mental health

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

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experiencing discrimination, they “felt pressured to look or act a certain way at work.”

For generations, Asian women have often been seen as inherently subservient and silent sufferers — though, those stereotypes still exist today, albeit perhaps, a little quieter.

However, recent attacks on the AAPI community, and the cultural awakening that followed, are encouraging community leaders to call out systemic forms of racism, sexism, and ageism.

“Being an Asian American and Pacific Islander woman has always been challenging due to the stereotypes we have to endure. On top of having to overcome stereotypes, AAPI women have had to contend with many forms of discrimination as well,” said Daphne Kwok, AARP vice president of the organization’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, AAPI Audience Strategy.

The discrimination that AAPI women experience, according to this survey, parallels the kinds of gendered racism that Black, Latina, and Muslim women constantly endure.

And these specific forms of discrimination consequently tend to negatively affect their mental health; for AAPI women, 56% reported low mental health related to workplace bias.

Microaggressions, which are typically less aggressive than outright bias, can still significantly affect mental health, according to Gilbert Gee, a professor at UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health.

“Things that people encounter on a day-to-day basis — people making assumptions about you, being treated less courteously or being followed in a store — all those things are very stressful. They take a toll on self-esteem and self-concept,” Gee told AARP.

And, ageism throws another wrench into the equation. As technology advances exponentially, workplace ageism continues to proliferate among older workers, who, for economic reasons, are becoming less likely to retire by 65 years old.

As a way to avoid becoming targets of ageism — which can often be coupled with gender and race-related discrimination — 75% of AAPI women routinely practice “avoidance tactics,” like being careful of what they say and how they express themselves and putting others’ feelings of comfort and safety before their own.

According to Tetyana Shippee, a social gerontologist at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, age discrimination is typically seen as a more “socially acceptable” form of discrimination, especially since many workplaces value innovation — and the older you are, the less you’re seen as innovative.

“Younger people assume I don’t know how to use technology,” Shippee told AARP. “And even though age is not supposed to be discussed in hiring, I hear people say they don’t want someone who is too old because ‘we still want them to be vibrant and engaging.’ Across different spheres, I’ve also heard comments about wanting people who are going to ‘stay involved for a long time.’” n

Philippines now open for business...

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.

“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.

Damage, losses in Agri sector due to Karding...

said regions.

The total volume of production loss is also at 72,231 metric tons, which refers to commodities like rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and poultry, and fisheries.

A total of 141,312 hectares of agricultural areas have been likewise damaged by the typhoon.

“The increase in overall damage and losses is due to additional reports on rice, corn, high value crops, livestock and fisheries in all affected regions,” the DA said in a statement.

Karding left the Philippine area of responsibility on Monday night, September 26 according to the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, killing at least eight people. Kristelle Anne Razon, Inquirer.net trainee n

Filipino newlywed shot dead in road rage incident...

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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.

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

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

DOST-PAGASA/Inquirer File Photo

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photo by Rico H. Borja

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

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

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-NPA-NDF 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 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

Cratering peso touches 59-level as...

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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.

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

Ex-Chief Justice Bersamin...

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

Fil-Am ex-border...

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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 lower-wage 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)

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.

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

Photo from Inquirer.net

SC warns vs inciting...

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 “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

Hospital group wants mask mandate back

by Red Mendoza ManilaTimes.net

THE head of the country’s group of private hospitals urged the Department of Health (DoH) to bring back the masking mandate in outdoor spaces, as he believes that the optional wearing of face masks is contributing to the increasing cases of COVID-19 in the country.

The government earlier lifted the mandatory masking mandate in open spaces and in low-risk settings as the country slowly moves away and heads toward COVID-19 possibly becoming endemic.

In a televised briefing on Tuesday, September 27, Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines President Dr. Jose Rene de Grano urged the government to bring back

the mask mandate in outdoor spaces after the country reported a 22 percent increase in COVID-19 cases over the past week.

“We hope that the government would resume the mask mandate even in outdoor areas as we are seeing an increase in mild cases so that we won’t see increased hospitalization,” de Grano said.

n response, Health Officer in Charge Maria Rosario Vergeire said there is no need for groups to request the government to reimplement the mask mandate once cases increased as the DoH will be the one to reintroduce it if it sees fit.

Vergeire added that aside from the lifting of the mask mandate, increased mobility of individuals, waning vaccine immunity and return of face-to-face classes have contributed to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in

the past few days.

“It is not specific to the optional masking outdoors, it could also be attributed to the increased mobility of the population, to the opening of classes, or even the vaccination of boosters, we are seeing many factors,” she said.

Vergeire recognized that there could also be circulating Omicron subvariants in the country, which are highly transmissible but less lethal than the Delta variant.

Infectious disease specialist Dr. Rontgene Solante said in a message to The Manila Times that another reason that the country’s positivity rate remains high is the presence of other Omicron subvariants that are more transmissible than the BA.5 and the BA.4 subvariants.

After an uneasy week, Masungi forest...

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reduce inequality, and spur economic growth—all while tackling climate change and working to preserve the oceans and forests.

The UN SDG Action Award honors changemakers and initiatives that drive transformative action around the world. Its 2022 edition received more than 3,000 applications from over 150 countries in three categories—Mobilize, Inspire and Connect—and a separate award recognizing changemakers. The Masungi project won in the Inspire category.

For the park rangers

In her acceptance speech, Billie dedicated the UN recognition to the park rangers of Masungi, the foundation’s allies, partners and the people of the community who helped the project endure, but added that their work “continues to be undermined and undersupported in our home country.”

She also dedicated the award to the “quarrying companies, land grabbers and their enablers in the government” that she pledged to challenge during her speech.

“To the people who have said we are dreaming too big, that this is the way things have always been, and that we are pushing too far, this is for you,” Billie stressed, earning a round of applause from the audience. “This is a reminder that we will not stop.”

“We are not only representing Masungi. We are representing all Filipinos who suffer the most

10th international award

The UN SDG Action Award was the 10th that MGF had received from international organizations for its reforestation efforts.

Describing Masungi’s efforts as inspiring, the SDG awards cited how they helped shape Philippine policies that led to three legislative inquiries and issuances of 80 cease-and-desist orders in the watershed.

“Youth [have] been the catalyst for the Masungi Geopark’s accomplishments and make up the core team of the managing trustees, truly showing how they can flip the script for climate action, conservation and tourism,” according to the material on Masungi posted on the UN SDG website.

It pointed out that only 3 percent of the primary forests

remained in the Philippines due to rampant deforestation and poor environmental enforcement.

“The Masungi Georeserve east of Manila is a microcosm of these problems in a highly sensitive karst (a topography formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks) landscape which serves as a natural filter for vital waterways. The surrounding watershed is threatened by land trafficking and other illegal activities, exacerbated by corruption. This leads to the reduction of the clean water supply for about 40,000 people whilst increasing flood risks,” it said.

Through an agreement signed with the government in 2017, through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources then under Environment Secretary Gina Lopez, “the Masungi Georeserve became one of the biggest collaborative reforestation

efforts in the country using self-generated funds from geotourism,’’ it recalled, adding:

“Over 2,000 hectares of land has been rescued, 17 ranger stations and 18 kilometers of monitoring trails established, 100 rangers and 200 partners engaged and over 200 households have been supported. Sixty-eight thousand native trees have been planted and nurtured.”

Alarming presence

The latest award came nine days after the foundation alerted the public about the presence of more than 30 armed men in its area of jurisdiction. Posting pictures of the group on social media on Sept. 18, MGF alleged that they had set up camp along Kilometer 48 of the Marikina Infanta Highway and appeared poised to illegally occupy a part of the nature preserve.

The local police the following day seized about a dozen firearms from the men, who were identified as personnel of Sinagtala Security Agency. But no arrests were made and the men were fined only P1,000 each for not bringing their gun licenses with them.

The men were gone by the time Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, along with ranking police and environment officials, inspected Masungi on Sept. 23.

Also last week, in another troubling development for MGF, the DENR announced plans to review its 2017 agreement with the foundation, along with accords with other private organizations assigned to look after protected areas. n

‘A REMINDER THAT WE WILL NOT STOP’. Billie Dumaliang, a trustee and cofounder of Masungi Georeserve Foundation, receives the UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Award in Bonn, Germany, on Tuesday, September 27. Screenshot from a video on the UN YouTube channel from the climate crisis and we are representing all environment defenders risking their lives for our shared future,” she pointed out.

CHRISTMAS SPIRIT. Handcrafted Christmas lanterns (parol) and paintings made by persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are on display at the visiting area of the San Juan City Jail on Thursday, Sept. 29. Jail authorities have been supporting PDLs in their facilities to have a brighter Christmas by earning income through making Christmas decorations and artworks this Holiday season.

PNA photo by Joseph O. Razon

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

Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

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

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

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 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 one-on-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. 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)

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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

Too early to say US trip was a success

But that’s the way it often is in assemblies of people of varied concerns (UN memberstates now number 193).

FedeRico Pascual JR

IT’S too early for followers of President Ferdinand Marcos to declare his recent six-day working visit to the United States a success – and for his critics to dismiss it as a failure. We’ll have to wait for the verified scorecard or make our own assessment and conclusions.

We can evaluate tentatively the mission’s accomplishments against the declared objectives. What did Marcos set out to do as a visiting chief of state? Was he able to do it? And at what expense of time and resources?

Before departing on Sept. 18, Marcos said: “I will outline our expectations of the United Nations and the work ahead, the role our country will play and our contributions in strengthening the international system.”

Was he able to do that during his 21 minutes at the UN podium? We think he tried his best, although we were not sure the many vacant seats in the yawning session hall were listening.

Marcos himself did not listen to the 16 other speakers after him. He left right after his speech.

The speakers after him were the heads of state of Lithuania, Romania, Bolivia, Peru, Marshall Islands, Seychelles, Argentina, Poland, Guatemala, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, El Salvador, Japan, Germany, Morocco and Italy.

Marcos also met with the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, the U.S.-Philippines Society and the Asia Society. Those meetings, together with briefings with investors, plus his appearance at the New York Stock Exchange, may help draw U.S. investments to the Philippines, but that would be counting the chicks before they hatch.

A trip is not complete without the President touching base with our kababayans abroad who send foreign exchange back home that amounted to at least $31.4 billion in 2021.

On this trip, FilAms welcomed him at a performing arts center in Newark, New Jersey.

So, was the Marcos

expedition to America a success? We think it was a qualified success, comparing what he was able to do and what he said he intended to accomplish. The missing figures are those of the U.S. investments that his team has been pursuing relentlessly.

The Biden-Marcos dialog in NY

President Marcos sought a meeting with his U.S. counterpart. Two days after he spoke at the UN, President Biden met with him and his small group at the InterContinental Barclay in New York.

Part of the White House account of their exchange:

Biden: Well, Mr. President, welcome to you and your delegation. I think I woke you up election night. I called you so late to congratulate you. (Laughter.) But it’s a great victory, and I – and my best to your wife as well.

The relationship between the United States and the Philippines has very deep roots. We’ve had some rocky times, but the fact is it’s a critical relationship, from our perspective. I hope you feel the same way.

We have strong ties, including millions of Filipino

Americans who are very proud of their ancestry and desperately want us to continue to have a strong relationship. Our foundations are strong in the U.S.-Philippine alliance, which is of critical importance.

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.

I look forward to discussing the opportunities for a wide range of issues, including COVID-19 recovery, energy security and renewable energy. I was impressed with the work you did on windmills and a whole range of other things. You and I both think that’s the future.

In addition, I expect we’ll discuss the South China Sea and disputes in a critical global throughway. I’ve spent a lot of time with not only the President of China but others about the international waters and how they have to be respected. xxx

Thank you for your position on the war against Ukraine and – by Russia – and how it’s impacting energy prices and –and food prices.

And so, we want to talk

about human rights, talk about a whole range of things. But I’m mainly interested to know what’s on your mind and how we can continue to strengthen this relationship.

Marcos: Thank you, Mr. President. And thank you. We’re very happy for the opportunity to meet with you despite the schedules that we both have to deal with.

Biden: You came a little farther than I did.

Marcos: (Laughs.) Well, the 100-plus-year-old relationship between the Philippines and the U.S. continues to evolve as we face the challenges of this new century and the events that we have been watching over the past few months. So, we have very much to discuss in terms of redefining, I suppose, in many ways.

But the role of the United States in maintaining the peace in our region is something that is much appreciated by all the countries in the region and the Philippines especially.

We feel that we are especially fortunate because we have very strong foundation of a very long relationship and the strong relationships on various facets not only political, not only diplomatic, but also economic. And, of course,

there is the very large Filipino population that have chosen to live and make their lives here in the United States and have been very successful.

Again, we would like to thank the United States for the massive help that we received during the pandemic. We had the provision of up to almost 36 million doses of vaccines very early on. For that, we are very, very grateful.

We continue to look to the United States for that continuing partnership and the maintenance of peace in our region.

Thank you again, Mr. President, for making time to see us. We are your partners. We are your allies. We are your friends. And, in like fashion, we have always considered the United States our partner, our ally and our friend.

Biden: Thank you. It’s mutual. (Philstar.com)

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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.

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NB: Author is on Twitter as @ FDPascual. Email: fdp333@yahoo. com. All Postscripts are also archived at ManilaMail.com

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Dateline PhiliPPines

PH ranks 59th in 2022 Global Innovation Index

MANILA – The Philippines ranked 59th in the 2022 Global Innovation Index (GII), performing best in business sophistication, based on the World Intellectual Property Organization’s (WIPO) report published on Thursday, September 29.

The WIPO also recognized the Philippines as one of the middle-income economies with the fastest innovation catch-up to date along with China, India, Iran, and Vietnam, despite sliding eight notches from last year’s ranking down to 59th among 132 countries.

The Philippines, however, “fell back slightly, underlining the importance of sustaining innovation effort over time,” the report added.

US Peace Corps, Philippines wrap up volunteer training with LGUs

MANILA — The U.S. Peace Corps and the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) has concluded a two-month training program for local government unit leaders in 12 provinces.

The U.S. Embassy in a statement on Wednesday, September 28 said the program was geared to highlight volunteerism as a means to “meet local development priorities.”

“Volunteerism is alive and well in the Philippines. With the leadership and know-how of LGUs, it can be a powerful tool for achieving community-level development,” U.S. Peace Corps Country Director Jenner Edelman was quoted saying.

Since 1961, the U.S. Peace Corps has deployed over 9,300 volunteers to other countries upon request. The organization will send volunteers in January next year to help the program participants to promote volunteerism.

Nearly 80 LGUs from Luzon and Visayas participated in the program. They were joined by the Australian Volunteers Program, Voluntary Service Volunteers, France Volunteers, the Global Initiative for Exchange and Development, and the Korean International Cooperation Agency.

Participants were taught how to mainstream volunteerism in communities by adopting local laws and through creating provincial volunteerism actions.

Every five years, the U.S. Peace Corps issues a John F. Kennedy Service Award to two staff members and two American volunteers among its members across 60 countries. It aims to recognize those who show extraordinary leadership and commitment to service.

A Youth Program Manager in the Philippines was given the award earlier this year, making Roberto “Ambet” Yangco the first Filipino recipient of the award. (Philstar.com) n

Hospital group wants mask...

PAGE 4

He added that the “selection pressure” from the continuous transmission of Omicron in the population as a result of low vaccine coverage is the main reason why the subvariants continue to emerge within the Omicron lineages.

“And I think that’s one reason an Omicron-specific booster vaccine makes sense to lower that selection pressure and prevent more subvariants within the Omicron lineages,” Solante said.

Currently, 41 percent of the total number of samples

sequenced in the country contained the BA.5 subvariant of Omicron, while 32.3 percent were of the BA.2.3 subvariant.

Vergeire said they are now in talks with manufacturers regarding the possible procurement of reformulated vaccines that contain the Omicron subvariant.

She added that the DoH has initiated talks with Moderna, which is requesting term sheets for vaccine procurement, and Pfizer, noting that the government recognizes the need to procure these bivalent vaccines.

Vergeire said there had been no vaccine wastage reported during the onslaught of Super Typhoon “Karding” (international name: “Noru”) in the Philippines and only a few health facilities sustained minor damage.

She added that areas that have suspended the “PinasLakas: Bakunahang Bayan” vaccination drive may now begin their booster vaccination campaign and are urged to extend the drive until October 1, Saturday.

Currently, around 66,756 had been given booster shots on the first day of the campaign in the Visayas and Mindanao. n

The GII added that the country’s weakest performance is in institutions.

In a statement, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the agency is fully committed to driving the local industry to succeed through investments in science and technology facilities and laboratory networks to support the local industry’s productivity.

DOST Assistant Secretary Leah Buendia, meanwhile, said they continue to capitalize on their strengths and increasing capacity in industry 4.0 technologies.

“DOST funded R&D (research and development) facilities and laboratories with an active nationwide network for the development of industry and programs for digitalization, sustain the industry’s efforts for a more streamlined and efficient process,” Buendia said.

This year, the Philippines ranked 5th among the 36 lower-middle-income group economies, a notch down compared to the 2021 ranking.

The country has maintained being 11th among 17 economies in South East Asia, East Asia, and Oceania.

The Philippines’ Innovation Inputs dipped from 72 in 2021 to 76 in 2022 and Innovation Outputs from 40 in 2021 to 51 in 2022.

According to the DOST, the lower rank in 2022 was largely due to decreased performance scores in Knowledge and Technology Outputs which are mainly a function of knowledge creation, knowledge impact, and knowledge diffusion.

GII ranks world economies based on innovative capabilities, and also considers the countries’ innovation inputs and outputs.

According to WIPO, the GII tracks the most recent global innovation trends against the background of the coronavirus pandemic, slowing productivity growth, and other evolving challenges. (PNA) n

Ex-president Duterte reelected as PDP-Laban chairman, assures Marcos of support

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

FORMER president Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, September 29 was given a fresh term as chairman of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

The 77-year-old former leader was chosen anew as party leader during PDP-Laban’s 40th anniversary celebration and general assembly held in Pasay City.

Three months since he stepped down from power, Duterte vowed his party’s full support to his successor, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., and his administration.

“I would like to make this thing very, very clear. We are not putting up a strong party against the party of the President, we are not going to quarrel with him. Far from it,” he said.

“We will be giving our

full support to him. He was elected by 31 million... I wish the President good luck and I hope he would govern this country in accordance to what is the mandate of the people’s interest,” he added.

The former leader, however, asserted that he will not hesitate to speak up if he sees any wrongdoing against the people.

“If we see something is not right, we will raise our voice.

Because that is the essence of our presence here,” he stated.

Duterte then noted that many party members have left to join other parties but insisted that he has no ill feelings toward those who “migrated to the other side” and firmly believes that PDP-Laban still has enough influence left to rack in the votes in the next elections.

“Many members of PDPLaban migrated to the other side. I have nothing else to say. We will not criticize,” he said,

while urging those who stayed to “hang on”.

“The dominant party, I still think, is the PDP-Laban. Hang on to it, you hang on to this party because it will carry you to victory in the coming elections,” he added.

Apart from Duterte, the newlyelected party officers are:

• Vice chairman: Alfonso Cusi

• President: Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez

• Executive Vice President: Sen. Robin Padilla

• VP for NCR: Rep. Edwin Olivarez

• VP for Luzon: Sen. Francis Tolentino

• VP for Visayas: Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama

• VP for Mindanao: Sen. Bato dela Rosa

• Secretary General: Atty. Melvin Matibag

• Treasurer: Deputy Speaker Rep. Dong Gonzales

• Auditor: Sen. Bong Go. n

Nearly 80 LGUs from Luzon and Visayas participated in the program and were joined by the Australian Volunteers Program, Voluntary Service Volunteers, France Volunteers, the Global Initiative for Exchange and Development, and the Korean International Cooperation Agency.

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila

LEGAL SERVICES LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2022-00034276-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED

PERSONS: Petitioner Dana Marlene Sanchez Ramirez on behalf of a minor filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows:

a. Leah Maylin Gonzalez Sanchez to Leah Maylin Sanchez.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING

Date: 10/13/2022

Time: 8:30 AM

Dept. 61

Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101

A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: AUG. 26, 2022

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT

Michael T. Smyth Judge of the Superior Court AJ 1033 09/09, 09/16, 09/23, and 09/30/2022

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120)

NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE.

The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD#1033

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9019848

Angel Kids Cuts By Teresa located at 2015 Birch Rd #401, Chula Vista CA 91915.

Registrant: Teresa L. Padilla, 2322 Grove Ave #5, San Diego, CA 92154.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Teresa L. Padilla.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/02/2022.

AJ 1032 09/09, 09/16, 09/23, and 09/30/2022. AJSD#1032

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020010

Kurved By K located at 2429 Fenton St., Ste 5, Chula Vista, CA 91914.

Registrant: Klarissa Renteria, 703 Salot St., National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/25/2022.

Signature: Klarissa Renteria.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/07/2022.

AJ 1034 09/09, 09/16, 09/23, and 09/30/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020120

JohnnieLetters located at 8455 Happy Way S, El Cajon, CA 92021.

Registrant: a. Joanne Liezl Emerick, 8455 Happy Way S, El Cajon, CA 92021.

b. Robert Jay Emerick, 8455 Happy Way S, El Cajon, CA 92021.

This business is conducted by Married Couple.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Joanne Emerick. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/08/2022.

AJ 1035 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, and 10/07/2022. AJSD#1035

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9019142

a. Anye Trading located at 830 E Ave., Apt A, Coronado, CA 92118.

b. Anye Marketing located at 830 E Ave., Apt A, Coronado, CA 92118.

c. Avocado Queen located at 830 E Ave., Apt A, Coronado, CA 92118.

d. La Mexicana Produce located at 830 E Ave., Apt A, Coronado, CA 92118.

e. Teddy Tomatoes located at 830 E Ave., Apt A, Coronado, CA 92118.

Registrant: Anye Produce Inc., 830 E Ave., Apt A, Coronado, CA 92118.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 07/16/2016.

Signature: Natalia A. MerienneMorales.

Statement filed with Recorder/ County Clerk of San Diego County on 08/24/2022.

AJ 1036 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, 10/07/2022. AJSD#1036

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020234

Robert’s Auto Service located at 4630 Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92109.

Registrant: Ghobadi Ventures Inc., 16550 Vanowen Street, No. 114, Van Nuys, CA 91406.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Hamid Ghobadi.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2022.

AJ 1037 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, and 10/07/2022.

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020305

Mr. Moto Pizza located at 4646 Convoy St., Suite 114, San Diego, CA 92111.

Registrant: Convoy Moto Corp., 1929 Cable St., Suite 2B, San Diego, CA 92107.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/02/2022.

Signature: Gibran Fernandez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/09/2022.

AJ 1038 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, and 10/07/2022. AJSD 1038

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020535

Elevated Pool Service located at 216 Via Las Brisas, San Marcos, CA 92069.

Registrant: Matthew Escalona, 216 Via Las Brisas, San Marcos, CA 92069.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Matthew Escalona.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/14/2022.

AJ 1039 09/16, 09/23, 09/30, and 10/07/2022.

AJSD#1039

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020691

Ray Alcantara Real Estate, LLC located at 1833 Fabled Waters Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

Registrant: Ray Alcantara Real Estate, LLC, 1833 Fabled Waters Drive, Spring Valley, CA 91977.

This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/15/2022.

Signature: Ray Neil Alcantara.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/16/2022.

AJ 1040 09/23, 09/30, 10/07, and 10/14/2022.

AJSD#1040

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020119

West Marine Services located at 16301 Oak Springs Dr., Ramona, CA 92065.

Registrant: Edward Villanueva West, 16301 Oak Springs Dr., Ramona, CA 92065.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Edward Villanueva West.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/08/2022.

AJ 1041 09/23, 09/30, 10/07, and 10/14/2022. AJSD#1041

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020882

a. SF FINANCIAL SERVICES INC located at 669 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

b. FERREGUT SERVICES INC located at 669 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: SF FINANCIAL SERVICES INC, 669 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/09/2022.

Signature: Selene B Ferregut.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/19/2022.

AJ 1042 09/23, 09/30, 10/07, and 10/14/2022. AJSD#1042

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020585

PW LP located at 244 Palomar St., Ste A/Office, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: PW INC, 244 Palomar St., Ste A/Office, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Limited Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/04/2004.

Signature: Robert Pennell. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/14/2022.

AJ 1043 09/30, 10/07, 10/14 and 10/21/2022.

AJSD#1043

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020582

PW Holdings LP located at 244 Palomar St., Ste A/ Office, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: PW INC, 244 Palomar St., Ste A/Office, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Limited Partnership.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 01/01/2012.

Signature: Robert Pennell. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/14/2022.

AJ 1044 09/30, 10/07, 10/14 and 10/21/2022.

AJSD#1044

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020549

Pacific West Coast Properties located at 244 Palomar St., Ste A/Office, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

Registrant: PW INC, 244 Palomar St., Ste A/Office, Chula Vista, CA 91911.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 08/04/2004.

Signature: Robert Pennell.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/14/2022.

AJ 1045 09/30, 10/07, 10/14 and 10/21/2022.

AJSD#1045

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020786

HOSALKAR INJURY INSTITUTE OF SAN DIEGO located at 2323 E 8TH STREET SUITE 101, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950.

Registrant: ALLIANCE MEDICAL GROUP, INC., 2323 E 8TH STREET SUITE 101, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 03/01/2016.

Signature: HARISH HOSALKAR.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/14/2022.

AJ 1046 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, and 10/21/2022.

AJSD#1046

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9020592

D ’sminipancakes_SD located at 1417 13th St., Imperial Beach, CA 91932.

Registrant: Diana Moreno, 1417 13th St., Imperial Beach, CA 91932. This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Diana Moreno. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/14/2022.

AJ 1047 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2022.

AJSD#1047

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9021403

Three Men Crew Fume located at 1630 Coolidge Ave., National. City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Fernando Zuniga Barragan, 1555 Satellite Blvd., San Diego, CA 92154.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) ABOVE.

Signature: Fernando Zuniga.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/27/2022.

AJ 1048 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, 10/21/2022.

AJSD#1048

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2022-9021556

Go-Out-Terra-Carpet Cleaning Company located at 440 Blackshaw Ln, San Ysidro, CA 92173.Registrant: Juan Manuel Cervantes, 440 Blackshaw Ln, San Ysidro, CA 92173.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT FIRST BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE NAME(S) AS OF 09/28/2022.

Signature: Juan Manuel Cervantes.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 09/28/2022.

AJ 1049 09/30, 10/07, 10/14, and 10/21/2022

AJSD 1049

SAN

‘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, culturally-disconnected 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 world-renowned 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 multimillion 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 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

Wife shares Vhong Navarro’s condition inside jail

By Jan Milo Severo Philstar.com

VHONG Navarro’s wife Tanya Bautista said that the “It’s Showtime” host is learning how to cope inside the jail, but is emotional in his battle against the rape case filed by model Deniece Cornejo.

In a recent interview with the press, Tanya said Vhong assured her that he’s okay after the comedian surenderred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) last September 20.

“Sabi niya... at least, ‘yun ang nag-pacify sa akin. Kasi sabi niya, ‘Okey naman. Mababait naman sila dito.’ Pero siyempre, hindi ko na alam ‘yung hitsura, at ang sabi niya, pinapasaya raw siya ng mga kasama niya roon,” she said.

She, however, said that Vhong is now emotional on what’s happening to him.

“Sabi niya, ‘Hindi ko kayang maging komedyante ngayon.’ Pinipilit niyang kumain. So, ‘yung visit ko sa kanya, kasi nga, parang nagka-catch up kayo.

“Sobrang ang dami niyang tanong. ‘Kumusta na si Yce? Kumusta ka?’ ‘Yung mga ganoon. ‘Tapos, gusto mong kuwentuhan bigla ng mga light naman kasi masyado nang bumibigat. Tapos ayun, umandar ‘yung oras na kailangan ko na, nu’ng kailangan ko nang umalis,

sobrang hagulgol na siya,” she added.

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

(818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588 • http://www.asianjournal.com 9SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 6, 2022 9 “Sobrang emotional na niya. Dinig ko talagang humagulgol na siya. Kasi, ‘yun na. First time ‘yung ganoon. Kasi nga mag-isa siya. Sabi ko nga sa iyo, bumabalik na naman ‘yung trauma niya,” she said. n

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.”

Photos courtesy of Reina Bonta

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

Reina Bonta

Vhong Navarro with wife Tanya Bautista

Photo from Instagram/@vhongx44 Kailangan ko siyang i-update in terms of ‘yung mga ano sa case,” she said.

Tanya also said that Vhong’s past trauma is now hunting him again.

City of San Diego arts and culture funding opportunities open now

SAN DIEGO – Calling all local nonprofit organizations! The City of San Diego has released guidelines for two funding opportunities to support arts and culture activities, programming and projects that will take place between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024. The guidelines for funding opportunities can be found on the City’s website and the deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2022, at 11:59 p.m.

“Arts and culture are part of our daily life in San Diego,” said Jonathon Glus, Executive Director of the City’s Commission for Arts and Culture. “We are excited to open another funding season with much to offer to San Diego’s nonprofits. The return on the city’s investment comes in the form of dynamic arts and cultural experiences that generate meaningful impacts in communities and expand access to arts and cultural experiences in neighborhoods across San Diego.”

The first of the funding opportunities is the city’s Organizational Support Program (OSP), which provides general operational support to nonprofit arts and culture organizations for the delivery of activities that positively impacts

San Diego’s quality of life and tourism and offers direct access and increased opportunities for excellence in culture and the arts.

Creative Communities San Diego (CCSD) is the second funding source. CCSD provides project support for nonprofit organizations for projects in San Diego neighborhoods that engage diverse communities in arts, culture and creativity, contributing to a more accessible and sustainable creative ecosystem. Projects produced by nonprofit organizations that do not hold taxexempt nonprofit status may be eligible to apply for funding using

a fiscal sponsor.

Funding for OSP and CCSD comes from the Transient Occupancy Tax, a tax collected from visitors to San Diego who stay overnight in hotels, motels and other similar accommodations. The funding is for fiscal year 2024.

“With these opportunities, the city seeks to invest in organizations and projects that reflect its core values of diversity, equity, inclusion, access and excellence,” said Christine E. Jones, Chief of Civic Art Strategies for the Commission for Arts and Culture. “These activities will take various artistic and cultural forms, from theatrical productions and art exhibitions to musical performances, festivals and more, contributing to San Diego’s national and international reputation as a creative, cultural destination.”

Free online workshops and inperson assistance are available for potential applicants. For a calendar of workshops, office hours and instructions to register, visit the OSP (https://www.sandiego. gov/arts-culture/funding/ ospapplying) and CCSD (https:// www.sandiego.gov/arts-culture/ funding/ccsdapplying) Resources webpage.

The City of San Diego advances and drives an equitable and inclusive creative economy and cultural ecosystem by investing in the work of artists and creatives and the institutions and systems that amplify creative work and experiences. To learn more, visit sandiego.gov/arts-culture.

(City of San Diego Release) n

OCNHS Class 1972 celebrates 50th  high school reunion in San Diego

UNITED States-based graduates of Olongapo City National High School (OCNHS) celebrated their 50th Reunion in San Diego on September 9-12, 2022. Over 60 classmates who live in the U.S. from California, Idaho, Indiana, Virginia, Maryland, Texas, Arizona, Minneapolis, Georgia, Florida and Hawaii attended the reunion events.

Dinner at Gerry’s Grill for out-of-town guests was hosted by classmates from San Diego on September 9.

The main event was held on September 10 at Casa de Vargas with 100 people in attendance, 60 of whom attended OCNHS.

On September 11, the group enjoyed a cruise of San Diego harbor followed by a picnic at Smugglers Cove at Point Loma where they danced and played games.

OCNHS Class 1972 will have their official 50th High School Reunion in Olongapo City on February 17-19, 2023.

The group’s Legacy Project supports scholarship grants to deserving students at OCNHS. (Text and photos courtesy of May Ocubillo) n

Jones’s measure to help seniors, persons with disabilities, and children with financial matters is signed into law

SACRAMENTO – A measure by Senator Brian W. Jones (R-Santee) to help seniors, persons with disabilities, and children continue receiving professional assistance in managing financial matters was signed into law last night.

Jones’s SB 1024 specifically establishes a process for a probate court to appoint a professional fiduciary practice administrator as temporary successor in the event the original professional fiduciary becomes incapacitated or dies.

Professional fiduciaries provide critical services to seniors, persons with disabilities, and children. They manage matters for clients including daily care, housing and medical needs, and also offer financial management services ranging from basic bill paying to estate and investment management.

Currently there is no provision in law allowing for a timely replacement of a professional fiduciary in a probate case should the original fiduciary become

incapacitated or die. During the current lengthy time it takes to get a new professional fiduciary appointed by the court, many important financial actions for a client can be missed or slip by.

“Some seniors, persons with disabilities or children under court care need the consistent help of a

professional fiduciary to handle their financial affairs,” stated Senator Brian W. Jones. “SB 1024 streamlines and expedites the process for temporarily replacing a professional fiduciary who passes away or becomes incapacitated and provides a financial matter safety net for their clients.”

SB 1024 was approved by the Senate and Assembly on unanimous votes, and upon Governor Newson’s signature on Tuesday, September 27, goes into effect on January 1, 2023.

Elected to the California State Senate in 2018, State Senator Brian Jones represents the 38th Senate District which includes Alpine, Escondido, Lemon Grove, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Poway, San Marcos, Lakeside, Valley Center, Rancho Santa Fe, Julian, Ramona, Rancho San Diego, Bonsall, Fallbrook, Borrego Springs, and parts of the City of San Diego.

(CA Senator Brian Jones Office Release) n

City of San Diego spotlights local history during American Archives Month

Office of the City Clerk to host lectures, exhibits and more detailing life in San Diego during the jazz age

SAN DIEGO – October is American Archives Month and the City of San Diego’s Office of the City Clerk is hosting programs throughout the month to help raise public awareness about the importance of preserving historic records. The Office of the City Clerk will be hosting its fourth annual Archives Month with lectures, exhibits and tours of the archives with a theme of “Roaring 20s,” highlighting the advantages and challenges citizens encountered during the 1920s.

“We are excited to bring another great month of activities and events to the public to celebrate Archives Month in San Diego,” said Elizabeth Maland, San Diego City Clerk. “Preserving history for future generations has never been more important, and we look forward to giving our residents programming that offers vivid examples of what life in San Diego was like a century ago.”

Archives Month officially begins on Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. in the City Administration Building, located at 202 C St., with the unveiling of a public exhibit spotlighting San Diego during the “Roaring 20s.”

Additionally, a lecture series will be held throughout the month at the Central Library’s Mary Hollis Clark Conference Center at 330 Park Blvd. Featured lectures include:

• The History of Women in Law Enforcement: San Diego – Monday, Oct. 3, at 11:30 a.m.

• Eating Local in the Roaring Twenties –Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 10 a.m.

• Businesses, Banks and Booze: The Gaslamp in the Roaring 1920s – Wednesday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m.

• A Bridge Back: LGBT History Found in the Roaring Twenties – Monday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m.

• Prohibition and Parties in 1920s Coronado –Monday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.

Attendance at each lecture is limited to 35 visitors and registration is required.

The city will also be offering tours of its archives on select Fridays during October. San Diegans will be able to view historical City documents, official artifacts, books and photographs dating as far back as 1817. Tours are limited to 25 visitors and registration is also required.

For a complete listing of all of the activities, lectures and archive tours during Archives Month, and to register for lectures and tours, please visit the City’s Archives Month website at https:// www.sandiego.gov/digitalarchives/4th-annualarchives-month.

The city’s Archives Center is a part of the Office of the City Clerk’s Records Management Program which monitors all City records from origin and use through storage, retention and final disposition. The Archives Center identifies, preserves and stores records with a permanent reference value that captures the City’s history.

For more information about programs and services, visit sandiego.gov/city-clerk.

(City of San Diego Release) n

Funds available for projects and operations in upcoming fiscal year, workshops offered to support potential applicants

CA State Senator Brian Jones File photo/www.jones.cssrc.us

Buying real estate is still a good investment

OWNING a home is the quintessential American Dream. It represents a triumph for all the hard work that you (and/ or your family or spouse) have done in order to reach that level of home ownership.

There are positives associated with owning your own home, and/or holding on to real estate as an investment – aside from growing your portfolio, there are benefits when you file taxes, and money earned when you decide to sell at a later time or develop the property to rent out.

One of the main thoughts that pops up is where to invest in property or land. Many people think about their retirement years and where they want to settle – perhaps in a peaceful place where there are things to do, and where people genuinely care for their neighbors.

Today’s increasing mortgage

interest rates, coupled with higher real estate prices, have drawn people to look for places where real estate is more affordable. One of those places is Pahrump, a town adjacent to the California-Nevada border, and which is about 62 miles west of Las Vegas.

Originally inhabited by the Southern Pauite, Pahrump has grown by leaps and bounds from its beginnings, and had a reported population of 44,738 per the 2020 Census.

There is a great deal of development ongoing in this unincorporated town. Many businesses are setting up in the town or expanding their operations.

One of my clients, Andrew Hoang, the president and CEO of Alka Products is in the process of building a glove factory in Pahrump. A new

Circle K is under construction. The town recently welcomed the opening of its first dispensary, The Source, which offers drivethru pick up service. Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch enhanced its racetrack – its longest configuration now is at 6.1 miles, and is reportedly the longest road course in North America.

Earlier this year, plans by developers to bring Nevada’s first pari-mutuel harness racing to Pahrump were bared, a project that would include a casino, restaurants, batting cages, shopping facilities, campgrounds, a waterpark, a movie theater and parking for RVs and vehicles.

There are companies who are also planning to hire more people for their companies, including ARES Nevada LLC which was awarded a tax abatement of $2.5M. It is developing a merchant energy storage facility at a working gravel mine in Pahrump. The company plans to make an estimated $26.7M in capital investments in the first two years, and grow to 51 jobs in five years, per a report from the Pahrump Valley Times.

Industry analysts have reported that in Pahrump, median housing price is at $386,000, which is up 7.2% compared to last year’s median price. On the average, homes sell in around 49 days in Pahrump. Depending on what type of property you are looking at, you may be able to negotiate with a seller as the Pahrump market has also been hit by the sales slump being experienced around the country.

That median price is very good for people who are looking to at this town, and quite affordable for those who are priced out of many markets in the U.S.

According to industry reports, California residents are the top movers to Pahrump, coming from varied locations like Los Angeles, San Jose, San Diego and Sacramento. Other cities that have residents coming into town are from Utah, Washington, Illinois, Oregon, New York and Arizona.

Traditionally, real estate has always been a solid investment for individuals and families. The market goes through its highs and lows, but one thing is certain – those who invest at the right moment are able to get their money’s worth in the end.

Just to illustrate: in Nevada,

the median price of a home in 1940 was pegged at $20,700. It grew to $136,000 by 1980 and to $142,000 in 2000. In the middle of the housing crash, the median price was at $143,651. The recent surge in home prices, fueled by the pandemic, saw the median price go up to a phenomenal $345,000 in 2020.

If any individual had invested on a property in 2000 in Nevada, he or she would have earned about $200,000 about 20 years later.

As of now, Pahrump is one of those towns where land and property are more affordable than other parts of the country, or even Nevada. Nye County, which Pahrump is situated in, keeps experiencing an increase

in population, which indicates that many people are looking into the area as major cities get overpopulated and real estate prices get too high.

I have been a Realtor for many decades now and have seen the growth of Pahrump. I consider it one of the best towns to live in. With many residential and commercial developments coming into the area, and many planned projects that will add to the diversity of the town’s entertainment offerings, it truly is a good place to look for a home, an investment property or a piece of land that you may want to construct your dream home in or sell for a profit later.

Many of my clients have bought multiple properties in Pahrump.

Some have even turned their investments into Airbnb or rental properties, which is another source of income for them. There is an increasing inventory in the market and now may be the best time to look at these properties.

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)

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (center) with Alka Products CEO Andrew Hoang (left) and Jenny Truong (right).

The second Circle K gas station in Pahrump currently under construction is located on Homestead and Gamebird Roads.

The first Circle K station that became operational in town is located on Basin Road.

The Source, which opened its first dispensary in Pahrump recently, is located along Homestead Road, and is walking distance to Highway 160. It offers a drive-thru pick up service.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need business financing, including loans for small businesses. For more information, call (702)

or send email to fely@precious-properties.com or fely.precious@gmail.com.

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman