100122 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

Survey: 63% of older AAPI women experience workplace discrimination

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

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.

Marcos brings home $4 billion in potential investments from US trip

American businessmen

to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during

recent visit to the U.S. could generate over a hundred thousand jobs for Filipinos, Malacañang said on Thursday, September 29.

a statement, the Palace said these business

which may or may not materialize in the future

worth of

have

billion and could create 112,285 jobs in the country.

sectors

as

technology

and business process management (IT-BPM), data centers and manufacturing would corner the fresh capital should American investors firm up their commitments.

The Palace, however, did not name the U.S. companies that promised these potential investments. “Some companies had expressed interest in considering new or further investments in the country, but their plans have yet to be firmed up,” the statement read in part.

Marcos flew to New York this month to attend the United Nations General Assembly, marking his international debut after his landslide election victory. The Palace said Marcos met with U.S. President Joe Biden, who told his Philippine counterpart that Washington wants to build stronger ties with Manila despite “rocky times” between the two countries in the past.

Central bank data shows the U.S. accounts for 4.54% of total FDIs to the Philippines in 2021. n

PH defense leaders

MANILA — Priority areas for the alliance of the Philippines and the United States included strengthening mutual defense treaty commitments, and enhancing maritime cooperation, the top defense officials of the two countries said on Friday, September 30.

Undersecretary Jose Faustino Jr., officer-in-charge of the Department of National Defense, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III met at Camp Smith in Hawaii to discuss ways to deepen the cooperation between Manila and Washington.

FILIPINO home care workers are among those who have been improperly misclassified and subjected to wage theft violations, according to a citation issued by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office.

Two Long Beach-based companies have been cited for improperly misclassifying 66 home health care workers as independent contractors and must pay more than $1.8 million for the wage theft violations.

Angel Connection Inc., an agency that provides staffing at clients’ homes for health aid services, and J Jireh, a staffing agency with close ties to Angel Connection, acted as joint employers and misclassified workers avoiding payment for minimum wage, overtime wages, worker’s compensation premiums, payroll taxes and meal periods premiums.

The workers, the majority of whom are Filipino immigrants, reportedly worked 24hour shifts, six days per week for as little as $6.25 an hour with no overtime, according to the investigation.

PDP-Laban to serve as scalizer of Marcos administration – Duterte

by CECILLE SUERTE FELIPE Philstar.com

MANILA — The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) under the wing of former president Rodrigo Duterte will serve as so-called “fiscalizer” of the Marcos administration if needed.

During the PDP-Laban’s 2022 National Assembly in Pasay City on Thursday, September 29, Duterte said his party would not be confrontational with President Marcos.

“We are not going to quarrel. Far from

it. We will be giving our full support for him politically. But the President can be very sure that in the coming days, we will fiscalize. When we see something wrong, we will raise our voice, because that is the essence of our presence here,” the former chief executive said.

Duterte personally presided over the election of Palawan 2nd District Rep. Jose Alvarez as the new party president, succeeding former energy secretary Alfonso Cusi.

The national assembly, which also served

ICC prosecutor’s insistence on ‘drug war’ probe a ‘disservice’ to Philippines — DOJ

by FRANCO LUNA Philstar.com

MANILA — The Department of Justice on Wednesday, September 28 took offense at the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court for pushing to launch an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity in the Duterte administration’s “war on drugs.”

ICC Prosecutor Karim Khan, in response to the Philippines’ submission of “drug war” findings, said the government did not give new arguments or information to preclude an official investigation.

At a press briefing Wednesday afternoon, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said that while the country met

its deadline for comment, Khan was “doing them a great disservice by putting a challenge to our system here.”

“We submitted these things to the ICC out of the principle of comity, nothing more, nothing else. We are not there ‘complying’ with anything because we are not members,” he said. “I just hope that this matter is not politicized, not weaponized by people in political positions.”

“Here comes a foreigner who thinks he knows the Philippines more than we do... Does he want us to speculate about all these unfortunate events that happened? Our job at the DOJ is to establish facts and prove a case, because nothing is

“We discussed several priority areas for the alliance including strengthening our mutual defense treaty commitments and enhancing maritime cooperation, building on our mutual defense posture, and improving interoperability and information sharing,” Austin said.

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA –  The death toll in the aftermath of Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) has climbed to 12, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Friday, September 30.

The NDRRMC added that six people still remain missing while 52 were confirmed hurt.

Of the 12 reported deaths, eight have been verified, the NDRRMC said.

According to the NDRRMC,

among the fatalities were a landslide victim in Burdeos, Quezon, and a drowning victim in Zambales.

In Bulacan, five rescuers died during rescue operations in the town of San Miguel, while another person drowned in Baliuag town.

The remaining deaths are still being verified.

On the other hand, the NDRRMC reported that 911,404 people, or 245,063 families, were impacted by Karding. In addition, 47,815 households have been relocated and are currently in

Vast tracts of farms are submerged by flood in this photo taken during President Marcos’ aerial inspection of provinces ravaged by Typhoon Karding. Inquirer.net photo by KJ Rosales

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. meets with senior executives from the U.S.-based companies NuScale Power, WasteFuel, and Boeing during his recent trip to the United States. Malacanang photo

US, PH defense leaders discuss...

“By deepening our cooperation and modernizing our alliance, we can help secure the Philippines’ future, tackle regional challenges, and promote peace and security in the Indo Pacific,” he added.

Under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, the two countries recognized that “an armed attack in the Pacific on either of the parties would be dangerous to its own peace and safety and declared that it would act to meet the common dangers in accordance with its constitutional processes.”

According to Faustino, officials from the two countries tackled “forward-looking, practical, and tangible ways on how to empower our partnership to improve defense cooperation across various lines of effort […] with the end view of further enhancing the credibility of our alliance.”

When asked if Manila would help Washington in defending Taiwan in case of Chinese

aggression, Faustino said the Philippines adheres to the One China Policy.

“We urge all concerned parties to exercise restraint, and diplomacy and dialogue must prevail,” the former military chief said.

“We continue to update and

enhance our contingency plans.

It is also imperative to regularly update and exercise the Philippines-U.S. mutual defense concept plan under the ambit of the MDT based on our dynamic security environment,” he added. (Gaea Katreena Cabico/ Philstar.com)

Home care agencies cited with misclassifying...

Together, Angel Connection and related entities have been ordered to pay over $1.8 million in lost wages and penalties.

"When I joined the investigation against Angel Connection, I did not realize that hundreds of thousands of dollars were stolen from me as an inhome caregiver. I vowed that I, together with other caregivers, will continue to fight to win our wages back! I am happy that after many years of investigation, a citation is now issued to recover our back wages. It’s time for Angel Connection to change their ways and pay their workers what they are supposed to,” said Maria, a caregiver who prefers to use a pseudonym given the sensitive nature of her case.

Shirley Bautista, an in-home caregiver who worked for Angel Connection for almost six years, will also recover her lost wages.

“Caring for the elderly is hard work but work we do with love,” Bautista said. “This is money that we worked for. We’re not asking for anything that is not rightfully ours. I don’t want Angel Connection to do to others what they did to me. I know a lot of workers are scared to stand up to Angel Connection, but if we don’t fight for our rights, then who will?”

The Pilipino Workers Center of Southern California (PWC) and Bet Tzedek Legal Services referred the case to the state Labor Commissioner agency and assisted in identifying workers during the investigation.

“The courageous caregivers who came forward in this case cast a spotlight on issues that domestic caregivers routinely face - multiple around the clock shifts with no breaks and no overtime pay,” said Aquilina Soriano Versoza, executive director of PWC. “These unscrupulous agencies also misclassified workers as independent contractors in an attempt to do an end-run around workers’ basic rights. These essential workers deserve to be paid what they are owed and treated with respect.”

The investigation revealed that Angel Connection Inc, owners Merjilyn Chu and Joseph Fotunato, and J Jireh, the staffing agency, acted as joint employers and misclassified workers

avoiding payment for worker’s compensation premiums, payroll taxes, minimum wage, overtime wages, and meal period premiums.

It also found that an employee of Angel Connection Inc., Annabella Ricasata, opened the J Jireh Group and classified all the home care workers as independent contractors.

Combined, Angel Connection, J Jireh, Chu, Ricasata and Fortunato, have been ordered to pay nearly $1.9 million in lost wages and penalties including $1,021392.99 in wage violations and interest.

Twenty-two workers were affected by wage theft and 66 were misclassified.

Filipinos and other immigrant communities continue to be disproportionately affected by wage theft, often facing language

and legal barriers to coming forward with complaints.

PWC and other communitybased organizations work have been working with the Labor Commissioner to address labor violations that workers in these marginalized communities face.

“Misclassification robs people of their wages and in many cases the employer is well aware of the fact that they are cheating workers and violating the law,” said Yvonne Medrano, a lawyer at Bet Tzedek representing the employees. “These practices of requiring in-home caregivers to work 24-shifts without proper compensation and breaks is illegal. Caregivers like Shirley and Maria bringing these working conditions to the public’s attention will encourage other caregivers to get justice.” (AJPress)

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Jose C. Faustino Jr., officer in charge of the Philippine Department of National Defense, address the media at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii on Thursday, Sept. 29. DOD photo

PWC Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza speaks during a news conference on Wednesday, Sept. 28 in Long Beach, calling on the cited home care agencies to be held accountable.

Maria, a caregiver who prefers to use a pseudonym given the sensitive nature of her case, shares her experience with Angel Connection, a home care agency that has been cited by the California Labor Commissioner’s Office for misclassifying home health care workers.

Photos courtesy of the Pilipino Workers Center

ICC prosecutor’s insistence on ‘drug war’...

more important than the rule of law.”

Remulla said the key issue in the Philippine government’s probe was that it was trying to investigate the cases individually. Official police data owns up to 6,100 drugrelated killings by the end of the Duterte administration.

He also said the government’s own investigation will continue for the time being, though rights advocates have raised serious doubts about the administration’s ability to investigate itself.

“We are hoping there are more witnesses to come forward, because that’s what we need here,” he said. “We are looking for ways to protect the witnesses, and we are offering witness protection to anyone who comes forward.”

The justice chief went on to cite one case before the National Bureau of Investigation as an example, where he claimed “the investigation was temporarily closed for lack of interest or cooperation on the part of the possible witnesses...for fear of life among other reasons.”

But global investigative panel Investigate PH has said that on the ground, the friends and families of victims are intimidated and even threatened. Meanwhile, government officials point to the lack of formal complaints as evidence that operations are done by the book.

In a 21-page response dated September 22, the ICC prosecutor Khan maintained that “none of those arguments have merit.”

Familiar narrative on foreign interference

To recall, the ICC gave the Philippine government until September 8 to comment on the request of ICC Prosecutor Khan to resume the investigation of human rights violations allegedly committed under the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

It’s the same argument the national government has pushed since the time of Duterte. Remulla again framed the ICC as a meddling foreign influence overstepping into the affairs of the Philippines, whose justice system is supposedly working.

“Are they dictating on us what we should do as a country?

[...] We are a sovereign country who has a functioning system so I don’t see what the racket is all about, because as far as we are concerned, we’re not members of the ICC anymore,” he said.

“This is a sovereign matter for us to decide as a country that’s democratic. We do everything in our own pace in our own country; this is our country, not their country.”

Whether a member-state or not, though, the Philippines still does have obligations before the global court from the time it was still a member. This is because the Rome Statute,

which the country signed, outlines in Article 127 that: “A

State shall not be discharged, by reason of its withdrawal, from the obligations arising from this Statute while it was a Party to the Statute.”

In a Viber message to reporters, Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra asserted that the ICC’s pre-trial chamber has not yet actually ruled on the Philippine government’s request to deny the ICC prosecutor’s motion to resume investigation.

“What was published recently was the ICC prosecutor’s response to the Philippine government’s position on the issue. the office of the solicitor general is presently considering whether there is a need to reply to the prosecutor’s response,” he said.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said that his administration has no intention to rejoin the ICC. Marcos was among the senators who signed off on the country’s decision to join the ICC back in 2011.

“Regardless of the ruling, the Philippine government will avail itself of all legal remedies, both domestic and international, even as it vigorously pursues its own investigation and prosecution of crimes committed in relation to the government’s so-called war on drugs, all within the framework of our own legal and judicial system,” Guevarra said.  (with reports from Kristine Joy Patag)

What to expect when you have COVID

by SUNITA SOHRABJI Ethnic Media Services

ALMOST 96 million people in the U.S. have had a COVID-19 infection, according to Sept. 26 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health experts believe there is a severe under-count of infections, as there is no required reporting for home antigen tests.

COVID-19 vaccinations and updated boosters remain the most important strategy to

prevent serious illness and death.

In the age of the Omicron variant, the majority of people infected with COVID-19 may experience symptoms, says Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, who specializes in treating infectious diseases. Even people who are vaccinated and boosted may experience symptoms with their infection, he explains, although unvaccinated individuals are more likely to become severely ill.

In this FAQ, Dr. Chin-Hong explains how to manage a symptomatic COVID-19 infection.

What are some initial signs of a COVID-19 infection?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Initial signs of a COVID infection depend on a variety of factors. Most people — especially in the Omicron era — experience a sore or scratchy throat, fatigue, fever, nasal congestion, and sneezing. Others report cough, muscle aches, headache, and occasionally diarrhea.

If you are unvaccinated, immune-compromised, are older or not boosted and have trouble breathing about one week after the initial symptoms begin, this may be an indication of  pneumonia. You should seek prompt medical attention.

Smell and taste abnormalities are less common with Omicron compared to earlier variants but are still possible.

Most symptoms last between 1-2 weeks, but some people may have symptoms for 2-3 months or longer, in a minority of patients with Long COVID.

The major symptom of a more severe infection is difficulty breathing with cough. If you are getting more shortwinded or if you can’t walk as far without catching your breath a few days to a week after infection, you should seek medical attention. If you have a pulse oximeter at home and it is below 93% that may be another sign.

At what point should you take an at-home antigen test?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Take a home antigen test under the following conditions:

1.Within 3-5 days if you have a credible exposure (15 minutes within 6 feet if unmasked).

2.If you have any symptoms such as sore or scratchy throat, fatigue, fever, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, muscle aches, headache, or occasional diarrhea. It is important to repeat the antigen test at least once or twice within 2448 hours (or do a PCR test) if you still have symptoms. Low amounts of virus early in infection can sometimes be missed by antigen tests.

If you are a parent or guardian and need to test your child, here are some tips to help young, squirmy children: hold the child in your lap while the test is being done; bring an iPad or show a video; explain to the child before (if possible) what you are going to do; have someone hold your child’s hands while the test is being done. Remember the test is quick!

How confident are you about a home-testing kit’s ability to detect the BA-5 subvariant?

Dr. Chin-Hong: I am very confident that the home test is accurate for BA-5, but the trick is not to give up if the initial test is negative and to repeat the test 1-2 times over the first few days of symptoms, or do a PCR test.

In addition, Omicron generally starts in the throat for many people so it may take some time to reach the nose which is being swabbed. The PCR test just needs a small amount of the virus around

to turn positive which is why it may give a more accurate result sooner, but eventually the home antigen test catches up as more virus is being produced.

I would probably recommend a PCR test sooner rather than later if you want to find out as soon as possible (especially if you are living with elderly or immunocompromised folks) or if you are unvaccinated or need early therapy to lessen symptoms — such as an antiviral medication like Paxlovid or monoclonal antibodies — to help keep you away from the hospital.

What types of treatments are available for those who test positive for COVID?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Talk with your doctor about the treatment options that are appropriate for you.

I would definitely recommend Paxlovid if you are within the first 5 days of symptoms, or if you are unvaccinated with medical conditions, are older and unboosted, or immunocompromised. Younger healthy patients may not benefit quite as much from an antiviral treatment and there may be a risk of COVID rebound. People with kidney issues or those who or have certain drug interactions may wish to seek an alternative therapy.

Monoclonal antibodies are good for people who need early treatment (as above) especially if you are immunocompromised. It is given as a 1-hour infusion with 1 hour of observation. This is a good option if people cannot take Paxlovid because of negative interactions with other medications.

Remdesivir given intravenously for 3 days is another option for COVIDpositive patients. The window for this treatment is from onset of symptoms to 7 days, which may give some people more time.

For people with mild symptoms, are there home therapies you would recommend?

Dr. Chin-Hong: Hydration is very important. Home therapies like warm chicken soup and tea, and honey (1 teaspoon if child is over 1 year) can help with symptoms like cough.

Should you exercise? How much rest should you get? And is it okay to continue working, albeit at home?

Dr. Chin-Hong: The current guidance for those recovering from COVID-19 is to wait for at least two weeks before resuming exercise and to do so gradually. Don’t push too soon or too hard as it may lengthen the time you have symptoms. It is important for your body to have enough rest to fully recover after COVID. If you have any questions, talk to your health professional. What are your recommendations for returning to society? Would you recommend getting a negative test result first?

Dr. Chin-Hong: My advice is to follow official state guidance: isolate for a minimum of 5 days. If you are negative by a rapid antigen test at day 6 you can go out into the world. If you are still positive you should continue isolating and testing until day 10 (or sooner if you turn negative).

After day 10, I generally do not recommend testing unless you live with a vulnerable housemate (someone who is immunocompromised).

Per CDPH masking guidance, infected persons should wear a well-fitting mask around others for a total of 10 days, especially in indoor settings.

Lastly, remember it is important to get boosted and vaccinated to help protect against the worst outcomes of COVID-19.

RABIES VACCINE. A man holds his pet dog while a Quezon City Veterinary worker administers a free vaccine shot against rabies at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City on Friday, Sept. 30. The activity was in line with the celebration of World Rabies Day with the theme "Rabies: One Health, Zero Deaths." PNA photo by Rico H. Borja

Typhoon Karding death toll rises to 12...

evacuation facilities.

The NDRRMC said 35 cities and municipalities are now under a state of calamity.

An estimated 56,916 homes sustained damage from Karding, as reported by the council. About 6,891 of them are in bad shape.

Infrastructural damage was anticipated to cost P23,947,400, according to the agency.

Karding also impacted the agricultural sector, affecting 104,500.9 farmers, the NDRRMC said. Also damaged are 166,630.11 hectares of crops. In addition, livestock, poultry, and

fisheries damage have reached P14,141,725.

The NDRRMC’s estimated cost of damage to agriculture is now P3,076,968,120.04, over a billion more than the P2.02 billion estimate given by the Department of Agriculture on Thursday, September 29. 

Survey: 63% of older AAPI women experience...

Moreover, 78% of AAPI women aged 50 and above reported that, in addition to 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.’” (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

No reported Filipino casualty as Hurricane Ian whips Florida

by DANIZA FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net

FILIPINOS in Florida are safe despite the havoc brought by Hurricane Ian, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) reported on Friday, September 30.

No casualty was reported among the 168,000 Filipinos in Florida, most of whom are healthcare

professionals, according to DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. continues to monitor the hurricane’s impact.

“Fortunately, we have not received any reports of Filipino casualties so far,” Daza told reporters in a message.

She gave assurance to Filipinos that they will continue monitoring

the situation as the hurricane heads for South Carolina where some 17,500 Filipinos reside.

“We will continue to monitor the situation as we stand ready to provide assistance,” Daza said.

Hurricane Ian, one of the strongest storms to hit the U.S. mainland, resulted in massive flooding and power outages in parts of Florida.

A PSYCHIATRIST on Monday, Sept. 26, found the husband of missing Chula Vista mother Maya Millete mentally competent to stand trial.

The trial of Larry Millete, 41, for his missing wife’s murder will proceed and is expected to last three weeks, according to a Fox5 San Diego report.

Larry Millete’s wife, Maya,

39, has been missing since Jan. 7, 2021, and presumed dead.

Extensive searches have failed to find her body. A new website has been posted for more information regarding search efforts to find her.

Prosecutors will present evidence for the murder charge and illegal possession of an assault weapon against Larry Millete in an upcoming

preliminary hearing.

The district attorney’s office alleges that Larry Millete killed his wife because she had been seeking a divorce since 2020. He allegedly even resorted to hiring sorcerers to cast spells that would make Maya remain with him.

Larry Millete has denied any involvement in his wife’s disappearance. (Inquirer.net)

Husband of missing Fil-Am mom found mentally competent to stand trial for murder Mayweather expresses admiration for Pacquiao, Filipino entrepreneurs

RETIRED boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. said he was impressed by entrepreneurs who established health and beauty products company Frontrow. Mayweather, who retired undefeated with 50 victories under his name, visited Manila to attend the inauguration of Frontrow’s new main office.

He praised Frontrow bosses, Tutok to win Party-list Rep. Sam Verzosa Jr. and RS Francisco, for their thrust to help the underprivileged through “Frontrow Cares.”

Another prime example of a Filipino whose heart is close to the masses, he said, is his former rival former senator Manny

Pacquiao.

Mayweather said he understands the situation of the poor since he used to be one of the underprivileged before becoming a boxing superstar.

The American boxer believes Verzosa will also be able to help the poor as he represents them in Congress. (Inquirer.net)

PDP-Laban to serve as scalizer of...

as its 40th anniversary celebration, had the theme “40 Years of Enlightened Nationalism.”

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III, the son of the founder of PDP-Laban, said “the original PDP Laban does not recognize any unauthorized election… We have our own set of party officers.”

The Duterte-wing PDP Laban also elected Sen. Robinhood Padilla as its executive vice president.

Others elected were Parañaque City 1st District Rep. Edwin

Olivarez as vice president for the National Capital Region; Sen. Francis Tolentino, vice president for Luzon; Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama, vice president for Visayas; and Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, vice president for Mindanao.

Former cabinet secretary Melvin Matibag retained his position as the party’s secretary general.

Deputy Speaker Aurelio Dueñas Gonzales Jr. of the 3rd District of Pampanga was elected PDP Laban treasurer, while Sen. Bong Go remained as auditor.

The new set of PDP Laban National Committee chairpersons consists of former energy undersecretary Astra Pimentel, membership committee; lawyer Richard Nethercott, legal affairs and arbitration committee; Former interior undersecretary Jonathan Malaya, public information committee; Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho, finance committee; San Juan City Rep. Ysabel Zamora, youth affairs; Rianne Cuevas, livelihood committee, and lawyer Yvette Cutaran Contacto, education committee.

OFEATURES PINION

Falling in innovation

Innovation is a critical component of national competitiveness and a key driver of economic growth. The level of innovation usually indicates a country’s level of development. So it is worrisome that the Philippines, emerging from a crippling pandemic, has dropped by eight notches in the 2022 Global Innovation Index, from 51st to 59th among 132 economies.

The fall followed the country’s one-notch slip last year in the Global Innovation Index, from 50th place in 2020. Ranking in the top 10 in the annual GII, drawn up by the World Intellectual Property Organization, are Switzerland, the United States, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore, Germany, Finland and Denmark.

Editorial

science and technology facilities, and supporting research and development in many areas to boost, among others, the productivity of local industries.

Among the upper middle-income economies, the top three in the GII are China, Bulgaria and Malaysia. The Philippines, ranked among the 36 lower-middle income economies, went down by a notch to fifth place, with India, Vietnam and Iran taking the top three slots.

Within Southeast Asia, the Philippines trailed Singapore (sixth place), Malaysia (36th), Thailand (43rd) and Vietnam (48th), but ranked ahead of Indonesia (75th), Brunei (92nd), Cambodia (97th), Laos (112th) and Myanmar (116th).

Department of Science and Technology Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. has said the country’s slide in the GII “is a challenge to both the government and private sector to prioritize innovation.” He said the DOST is investing in

President Marcos has said he wants new emphasis on the teaching of science, technology, engineering and mathematics or STEM, and he wants to revive Filipinos’ edge in English proficiency. The task is daunting; international assessments in the previous years have shown Filipino students performing poorly in reading comprehension, which is needed to understand STEM concepts. Deficiencies in formal education have built up over several decades, even as other countries ramped up investments and reforms in their education and innovation ecosystems.

The country’s fall in the 2022 GII was due mainly to its lower performance score in knowledge and technology outputs, which are driven by knowledge creation, impact and diffusion.

The DOST noted that the Philippines was recognized in the GII as an “extraordinary upward mover, with small setback” in terms of innovation. The rankings, however, are a better

related that should give urgency to improving the quality of Philippine education. (Philstar. com)

Marcos: ‘History is not through with me yet!’

THERE are two tired phrases making the rounds these days, both of them utterly stupid. When asked to comment on these phrases at forums, I restrain myself from blaming the inquisitor’s Araling Panlipunan and History teachers, who failed to explain that “history repeats itself” and “history is written by the victors” are false.

History cannot repeat itself because it has no agency, no mind, no power to make events move the way it wants it to move. History does not repeat itself; it is people who do, often at their peril. If you accidentally trip on a banana peel once, that’s alright. If you knowingly trip on a banana peel a second

time, that’s ridiculous. However, stepping on a banana peel is a choice that complicates things. Many historians have pointed out, most persuasively in Barbara Tuchman’s “The March of Folly” (1984), that when you look back into the past, you will see a chronicle of leaders who pursued policies contrary to their self-interest and dragged everyone down into the pit with them.

Those who ignore the lessons of history know that it is not a crystal ball that predicts the future. At best, history is a guide. It works by discerning patterns from the past, relevant to conditions in the present, that come into play in decisions that consequently chart the future.

I imagine many Filipinos treat history like they would traffic signs, as mere suggestions. It is worse when someone asserts

that we respect his opinion, arguing that traffic signs are open to discussion because of differing points of view. While most people understand a red light to mean stop, a green one to mean go, and a yellow one to mean caution, the person who causes an accident pleads for our understanding, “nagmamadali lang ako,” meaning: green is go; yellow, go faster; and red, go fastest.

Whenever there is talk of historical distortion, like the idea the first Marcos presidency was a “golden age” in the Philippines, the justification is that “history is written by the victors.” Remember that this is not historical revision that, literally, seeks to review and correct what is wrong; it goes the other way around by insisting the false to be true. History is not set in stone, it

Look, world, on the Philippines now

the Filipino nation has stood at the forefront of events and developments in history and on the cutting edge of change.

The first encounter

LOOK, stranger, on this island now/The leaping light for your delight discovers...

– W. H. Auden First word

The epigraph quotes the first line of W. H. Auden's poem, "Look, Stranger!" It is the title poem of Auden's 1936 poetry collection, Look, Stranger, which his fellow poet T. S. Eliot edited. Auden dedicated the poem and the book to Erika Mann, the daughter of the German novelist Thomas Mann, whom he married, to save her from Nazi persecution.

I quote the poem in full in the concluding section of this column.

Reintroduction of the Philippines

In his interview with the Associated Press, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. described his recent visit to the United State and the United Nations as "reintroducing the Philippines to the world." The characterization is dreadfully infelicitous and awkward because our people and our country have a long history of interaction and contact with the world and other countries, dating back centuries.

"Re-introducing" grates against the numerous times that

Five hundred and one years ago, on March 16, 1521, another Ferdinand, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippine archipelago during his epic circumnavigation of the globe.

According to the Jesuit scholar Miguel Bernad, SJ, it was a sheer accident that the expedition stumbled on the island group of Samar and Leyte. Neither Magellan nor anyone else in the expedition had intended to land there, nor had they heard of the islands, which later would be named the Philippines. They were looking for the Moluccas where the coveted spices were grown.

Magellan's coming, in Fr. Bernad's view, was not entirely accidental. From the point of view of the philosophy of history or theology, Magellan's discovery was providential. He was guided there.

According to other scholars, notably William Manchester, in his book on the Renaissance, A World Lit Only by Fire, the discovery of the Philippines completed the map of the world, as the latitudes and longitudes aligned.

Magellan's voyage was fortunate also in having a perceptive and conscientious chronicler on board, the Italian

Antonio Pigafetta, who gave the world a fascinating day-byday record of the expedition, and portraits of the people who accompanied Magellan. Pigafetta also drew vivid portraits of the natives and their chiefs whom the explorers found in the islands.

This was the first encounter between the natives of the islands and the white men from Europe.

The natives were friendly and hospitable. They gave gifts and accepted gifts in return.

The 235 men who had sailed out of Spain with Magellan were from Portugal, Spain and other countries. They were Europeans.

The Europeans were impressed by the fact that the natives, particularly those they later met in Cebu, were not a primitive tribe but a civilized community. They lived in villages, cultivated fields, they were governed by customs and lived organized lives. They had their own system of weights and measures.

A most idyllic first encounter ended in tragedy of course because Magellan and his men came into conflict with the native rulers. Magellan himself was killed in the battle of Mactan.

US imperialis

Four centuries later, in May 1898, Commodore George Dewey sailed to the Philippines with a U.S. Asiatic squadron, and destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay.

America's coming was both fateful and baneful. It aborted a national revolution right on the

can be changed, or revised, when new facts or new perspectives come along. The counterfactual narrative being foisted on us, starting with that now forgotten comedy film “Maid in Malacañang,” is that Marcos Sr. has been portrayed badly in all histories written after the 1986 Edsa people power revolt. By bringing out “the other side” or Marcos Sr.’s long repressed version of events, Philippine history will be rewritten to their liking. After all, there are 31 million people who voted for Marcos Jr., or the “winning” side, that believe their propaganda can replace what has already been accepted as fact and validated by historical scholarship.

History is not just written by the “victors.” It is written by everyone, that’s why historians have to deal with conflicting

cusp of victory against Spain.

While the Americans were friendly with the Filipino troops at first, the two sides soon came into conflict. The Philippine-American war broke out, as the U.S. decided to annex the Philippines, after paying Spain $20 million in exchange.

The story from thereon is long, bitter and tragic, and it would lead to the relationship that the Philippines and the United States have maintained to this day.

For two peoples who have shared and borne so much together in war and in peace, there is surely no need anymore for a reintroduction. Filipinos and Americans know each other.

All that is needed is the periodic renewal of a long friendship and tested partnership. They just have to rediscover values which they have in common.

In the AP interview, President Marcos spoke at length about how the pandemic has cost the country plenty. It has deprived the Philippines, for one, of the opportunity to celebrate its quincentennial appropriately with the world.

President Marcos cast the pandemic as a balancing act between keeping people safe and making sure life can push forward.

"We took a very extreme position in the Philippines, and we eventually had the longest lockdown of any country in the world," he said. "That was the choice of the previous government. And we are now coming out of it."

accounts of the same event from different sources. The Marcos version of events was never suppressed; what he propagated during the 21 years he was in power has been evaluated and revised into the history we know today. They can very well try to get the Marcos version of events into social media and textbooks today, but, eventually, history will move toward a factual and true version of the past.

As I write this, there are a number of memoirs on my table: Emilio Aguinaldo’s “Mga Gunita ng Himagsikan” (1964), Apolinario Mabini’s “La Revolucion Filipina” (first published posthumously in 1931 but written during his exile in Guam, 1901-1903), Artemio Ricarte’s “Himagsikan nang mga Pilipino laban sa Kastila” (1927), Jose Alejandrino’s “La Senda del Sacrificio” (1933), and

In recent days, he has both removed a national mandate to wear masks outdoors and extended a "state of calamity" — something he said he didn't necessarily want to do, but keeping the declaration in place allows more people to continue getting help.

"It's not very encouraging when people look at your country and they see, 'Well, it's under a state of calamity.' That's not good for tourists. It's not good for visitors. It's not good for business," he said.

The President has also traveled to the southern part of the nation to press forward the effort to fully end the Muslim rebellion and separatism of some rebel groups in Mindanao.

Marcos dismissed the Abu Sayyaf as a group that no longer has a cause other than "banditry."

"I don't believe they are a movement anymore. They are not fighting for anything," Marcos said. "They are just criminals."

AP commented that the President did not specify why the Philippines needed to be reintroduced, although the country took a hit from 2016 to 2022 under the Duterte administration.

Come to think of it, BBM never told us why we need a reintroduction to the world.

Explaining himself, he said:

"We have to position ourselves. We have to be clever about forecasting, being a bit prescient."

"We do not want to return to whatever it is we were doing prepandemic," Marcos said. "We want to be able to be involved and

much more. I brought these out to momentarily escape Marcos’ long, dark shadow, but browsing through them led me to reflect on extracting truth from these biased, self-referential primary sources. Didn’t Winston Churchill quip that “history will be kind to me for I intend to write it myself”? Some men don’t just write history; they make history. The 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law last week reminded me of the 1987 Playboy interview where Marcos declared, “History is not through with me yet!” (Inquirer.net)

* * *

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

* * *

Comments are welcome at aocampo@ ateneo.edu

be a vital part of the new global economy, of the new global political situation."

To conclude this column, here is the full "Look, stranger, on this island now" of W. H. Auden.

Look, Stranger Look, stranger, on this island now The leaping light for your delight discovers, Stand stable here And silent be, That through the channels of the ear

May wander like a river

The swaying sound of the sea. Here at a small field's ending pause Where the chalk wall falls to the foam and its tall ledges Oppose the pluck And knock of the tide, And the shingle scrambles after the sucking surf, And a gull lodges

A moment on its sheer side.

Far off like floating seeds the ships Diverge on urgent voluntary errands, And this full view

Indeed may enter And move in memory as now these clouds do, That pass the harbour mirror And all the summer through the water saunter. (ManilaTimes. net)

indicator of national competitiveness and the country’s standing within the region. And the slide in the ranking is yet another red flag

UN hails Makati as rst resilience hub in PH, southeast Asia

by BEATRICE PINLAC Inquirer.net

MANILA — Makati City has been named by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) as the first-ever resilience hub in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian region.

Makati Mayor Abby Binay announced this on Friday, September 30 as she expressed gratitude to the UNDRR for recognizing the city’s eagerness “to take on a more prominent role” in the Making Cities Resilient 2030 (MCR2030) initiative for the

next three years.

The MCR2030, according to the UNDRR, “aims to ensure cities become inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable by 2030.”

It also noted that cities, municipalities, or local authorities with “political and technical commitment” in taking actions to address disaster and climate risks are the qualities that make a resilience hub.

With this, Binay said Makati City will fulfill a crucial role in empowering other MCR2030 cities through “city-to-city collaborations and peer-to-peer

support.”

“Over the past decade, Makati has made great strides in its journey to resilience largely aided by MCR tools made accessible to us. We are eager to pay it forward by optimizing the opportunity to share our knowledge, best practices and resources with other cities so that together, we can attain the highest level of resilience come 2030,” she added.

Makati City, the country’s financial capital, was also the first local government in Metro Manila to have declared their city under a state of climate emergency. 

SC urged to take stern action vs red-tagging

MANILA — Law professors have joined the call for the Supreme Court (SC) to take more action against the red-tagging of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 19 Judge Marlo MagdozaMalagar.

Over 100 faculty members of the University of the Philippines College of Law, including its dean Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, issued a joint statement condemning the threats made by former anti-insurgency task force spokesperson Lorraine Badoy against Malagar and her husband, UP Cebu chancellor Leo Malagar.

The Malagar couple had been members of the UP law faculty as lecturers.

Saying red-tagging violates the basic principles on the role of lawyers, the law professors said Badoy’s statement should not be allowed to remain unaddressed.

“The threat to kill another is a felony punished under our criminal laws,” read the statement.

They urged the SC to “consider going beyond its action on the matter and initiate actions to hold accountable Badoy and others” who may consider similar attacks against those in the legal profession.

“We further ask the (Supreme) Court to consider issuing the appropriate rules to ensure that lawyers, prosecutors, and judges who may find themselves similarly attacked may have a meaningful remedy under law. The issuance of such rules would be the best

way to end what the Court today started,” it added.

Following its deliberations on Badoy’s social media posts, the SC on Tuesday, September 27 issued a stern warning against “those who continue to incite violence through social media and other means which endanger the lives of judges and their families.”

Badoy, who denied threatening Magdoza-Malagar, accused the judge of lawyering for the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army and National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF) after denying the government’s petition to proclaim the groups as terrorist organizations.

“So, 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, NDF and their friends, then please be lenient with me,” Badoy said in a now-deleted post.

She claimed, without providing evidence, that the judge’s husband was affiliated with the CPP-NPA-NDF.

Responding to the SC statement, Badoy claimed that she never threatened the judge and was merely presenting a hypothetical scenario.

Several lawyers, led by P3PWD party-list Rep. Rowena Guanzon, also held an indignation rally at the UP College of Law on Wednesday to ask the SC to cite

Badoy in contempt.

In a separate statement, law professors at the Far Eastern University Institute of Law condemned Badoy for her statements against MagdozaMalagar.

“We likewise condemn the personal attacks, criticisms laden with threats of violence, those that misrepresent and distort the nature and context of judicial decisions, and those that are misleading with nary any factual or legal basis. All of these undermine and damage the integrity of the judiciary and threaten judicial independence,” they added.

Overstepped

UP officials led by its president Danilo Concepcion also denounced Badoy’s remarks, saying she has “overstepped the bounds of human decency with her rabid and reckless assaults on free speech, human rights and now, the judicial process itself, one of our last democratic recourses.”

“While she may seek to evade legal action by resorting to seemingly hypothetical questions in her posts, the malice and moral depravity in her intent is evident, particularly her chilling statement about killing ‘this judge,’ knowing full well that she is associated with the country’s military and intelligence establishment,” read the statement from the UP President’s Advisory Council. (Philstar.com)

‘The Attorney of the People,’ CA Atty General Rob Bonta sits down with Atty Michael Gurfinkel on an encore, special episode of Citizen Pinoy

Erik Matti’s ‘On the Job’ miniseries earns International Emmy Awards nomination

By Dana Cruz Inquirer.net

“ON the Job,” the six-part miniseries by acclaimed director Erik Matti, has been nominated in the 50th International Emmy Awards.

The series is nominated for best TV movie or miniseries, alongside productions from the United Kingdom, France and Chile. This is according to the list of nominees released by the award-giving body on Thursday, Sept. 29

The “On the Job” series was created by Matti and his wife, writer Michiko Yamamoto. It is adapted from the original 2013 film and its sequel “On the Job: The Missing 8,” which premiered last year as the only Filipino production at the Venice International Film Festival.

The series centers around

crime syndicates that temporarily release prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power, but the crime syndicates are themselves  run by politicians. It premiered on HBO Go in September last year.

Its first two episodes were first shown in cinemas in 2013 as the “On the Job” film, though Matti noted he inserted neverbefore-seen footages from the original cut. Meanwhile, the latter episodes are parts of “The Missing 8.” g

Max joins Hollywood show ‘Almost Paradise’

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

series billed as the “first American television show filmed entirely in the Philippines” in an Instagram post with Kane, who portrays ex-drug enforcement officer Alex Walker.

“Secret’s out! I’m part of Almost Paradise season 2!” Collins wrote in the caption. “So lucky I get to work with this action star, Christian Kane.”

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

he will share his background

his family’s

story,

efforts

Photo screengrabbed from YouTube/HBO

KAPUSO actress Max Collins is set to star opposite American actor Christian Kane in the Filipino American television show “Almost Paradise,” which was recently greenlit for a second season. Collins confirmed her inclusion in the

‘The Attorney of the...

farm workers.

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

He also explains the role of an Attorney General.

Watch the inspiring story of

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

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.

City of Glendale, CA proclaims Oct. as Fil-Am History Month

GLENDALE — Board members of the Filipino-American Business Association of Glendale (FABAG-GLAC) appeared before the regular Glendale City Council meeting of Tuesday, September 27, 2022 to receive a Proclamation declaring the month of October as Filipino American History Month in Glendale.

The Proclamation was read on the record by Mayor Ardy Kassakhian and handed to FABAG President Jo Solomonson, together with Past Presidents Edith M. Fuentes and Marlene Cagatao, and Board Members Cora Aragon Soriano, Josephine Inacay and Olivia Lopez. Present also at the presentation was Senator Anthony Portantino who gladly joined in the photos.

FABAG-GLAC thanked the City for the Proclamation and invited everyone to their Fil-Am History Celebration on Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 5:00-9:00 p.m. to be held at the Glendale Adult Recreation Center located at 201 E. Colorado St. (close to the Central Library).  Mga kababayan and all, come join us! This is a FREE event and OPEN to all. g

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) g

Max joins Hollywood show...

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Kane congratulated Collins by commenting on her post, “We are all happy to have you. You rocked it!! More to come!”

In a post on his own Instagram account, Kane said it was a lot of fun working with Collins and referred to the two of them as “beauty and the beast.”

“Almost Paradise” follows Kane’s Walker who moves to Cebu after forced retirement, but the criminal world keeps drawing him back into a familiar line of work.

Several Filipino actors appeared in the

show’s debut season like Nonie Buencamino, Ces Quesada, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Lotlot de Leon, Raymond Bagatsing, Ketchup Eusebio, Ryan Eigenmann, Richard Yap, and young artists AC Bonifacio, Elijah Canlas, and Zaijan Jaranilla.

The series is co-produced by Filipino-American filmmaker Dean Devlin, a frequent collaborator of director Roland Emmerich, who produced and wrote Hollywood blockbusters “Independence Day,” “Godzilla,” and “Stargate.”

“Almost Paradise” Season 2 is currently filming in Cebu, with Kane frequently posting updates on Instagram. g

Max Collins with American actor Christian Kane Photo from Instagram/@maxcollinsofficial

reverend rodel G. BAlAGtAS

“HAVE faith in God. Be strong.” It’s the advice we give to a family member or friend when they go through turmoil, serious illness, or difficulty.  It’s because, often, it’s the only treasure we hold on to under any distress.

It’s not merely a piece of pious advice but one that challenges a person to bear any hardship in the spirit of the Gospel “with the strength that comes from God.” (1Timothy: 13-14)

For us Christians, to have faith in God means to identify ourselves with the Crucified Christ.  He bore his sufferings and submitted himself to crucifixion and death to save us from sin and share in his resurrection.

The imprisoned Paul gives the same advice to Timothy,

‘Lord, increase our faith’

his young emissary, in the Second Reading this Sunday (October 2). Paul tells him to have courage and strength in bearing witness to the Lord and upholding Paul himself, even though he is detained and deprived of his freedom for the sake of Christ.  “Guard this rich trust with the help of the Holy Spirit that dwells with us,” Paul encourages Timothy.

Having an increased faith means possessing patience and hope.  That’s what the First Reading from the Book of Prophet Habakkuk (2:2-4) also conveys: “For the vision still has its time, presses on to fulfillment, and will not disappoint; if it delays, wait for it, it will surely come, it will not be late…the just one, because of faith shall live.”

In this short book, which bears his name, when Habakkuk questions Yahweh’s governance of the world, God answers with the assurance of an eventual emergence of order and salvation: the present moment of suffering and

chastisement calls for a living and dynamic faith.  Indeed, confidence in Yahweh’s fidelity enables the virtuous to endure the pain of the present reality, confident that the Lord’s design will ultimately triumph.

As I reflect on this message, I think of our ill family members and friends, such as those with cancer or those that had a stroke.  I may not feel their physical pain, but I feel their fear, anxiety, and distress. So

I ask that we all keep them in our prayers.  May they have the faith that moves mountains, that brings peace and courage to face their battle of illness.

And may they feel our support, love, and prayers. Amen.

* * *

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

* * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

Jessica eyes acting on stage & on screen

By Bot Glorioso Philstar.com

JESSICA Villarubin may have already succeeded in becoming part of the GMA 7 roster of talents after she emerged as grand champion of the  Kapuso network’s reality singing search The Clash Season 3, but it does not mean she is allowing herself to remain complacent. Jessica is bent on showcasing what more she can do as a singer.

During the virtual media conference to announce her latest single  Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, under GMA Music, the 26-year-old  Kapuso chanteuse revealed that she never stops learning new sounds with the help of her vocal coach.

“Before, I thought it’s easy to be an artist only to realize later on that it’s tough because we have so many excellent singers aside from the singing gems just waiting to be discovered.  Merong lumalabas na mga bagong singer every year,” began Jessica.

“That’s why, I never get tired of learning new songs.

Ballad  talaga ‘yung genre  ko pero ngayon sa AOS (All-Out Sundays, as one of the members of Queendom),  nalalaman ko ‘yung ibang genre kaya I never limit myself to ballads.”

In fact, Jessica has begun practicing her vocal tone to enthrall with the riffs-and-runs of R&B “because I want to ‘upgrade’ my style every year.”

Asked how confident she is now as a singer, Jessica humbly responded that she couldn’t help but feel butterflies in her stomach with every performance.

“Every time I perform, I still feel nervous. But I can say that I am more confident now (as) compared to before. I always remind myself  na magaling ako at ‘yun ang lagi kong iniisip kasi mahirap talagang makipagsabayan sa magagaling. Also, I always motivate myself to practice more so I know what to do on stage.”

She admitted that performing alongside  Kapuso singing powerhouses like Aicelle Santos, Julie Anne San Jose and Rita Daniela gives her more reasons to work harder “because all of them are excellent singers. I really admire them.”

Just like Aicelle, Jessica also hopes to perform in musical plays here or abroad.

Gusto ko rin makapagperform  sa theater  kasi iba ‘yung  training na ‘yun gaya nila  Aicelle, Rachelle Ann Go or Garrett (Bolden, who was

Does job termination threaten your right to live in the US?

Protecting Employee & Consumer Rights

Atty. C. Joe SAyAS, Jr

Q: I WAS petitioned by my current employer to work in a residential care facility in the U.S. While I worked 6 days a week, and often on a 10-12 hour shift each day, my employer did not pay overtime. When I asked for additional payment, my boss said that I should be thankful that I am working in the U.S., and not in the Philippines. He warned that if I continue to ask for more money, he would fire me. This means that I would lose my immigration status and can be deported. What rights do I have?

A: It is unlawful for any person to obtain labor or services by means of force, threat, or by any scheme or plan that would cause belief of harm on the worker. The offense is Human Trafficking or Forced Labor which can hold an employer criminally or civilly liable under the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (“TVPRA”). This federal statute has its state counterpart under California’s Trafficking Victims Protection Act (“TVPA”).

The use of force or threat of it to obtain the worker’s labor can either be physical or psychological. The physical force can consist of physical restraint, beating, sexual assault or physical confinement. An employer, however, can use nonphysical ways to exert pressure on the employee to perform the work against the latter’s will or acquiesce to exploitative conditions at work.

These subtle non-physical threats on the employees, for instance, may consist of warnings of job termination for which the specter of deportation can be used to enforce the employer’s demand. A typical example is the above immigration scenario

where the employee’s U.S. visa is subject to the employer’s control.

Having served as counsel for human trafficking survivors and analyzed various COURT cases on this issue, this writer had been informed of several other situations that are prohibited as forced labor under the TVPRA. Other threats may include the following, employed particularly against those workers who have lost their status or are undocumented, as well as many uninformed legal immigrants,

connected with the loans.

Labor Human Trafficking is wrong as it denies individuals of their rights to individual liberties. Under the law, those victimized by this misconduct are not only entitled to payment of back wages, legal interest, and penalties. Victims also have the right to compensation for the more serious emotional and mental pains they suffered as a result of their deprivation of fundamental human rights. They can recover punitive damages in certain situations. In California, these employees can recover treble the amounts of their compensatory damages.

Both the TVPRA and the TVPA allow recovery of attorneys’ fees so the filing of civil lawsuits to recover compensation for the workers can be done on a contingency (no recovery no fee) basis. This removes the usual impediment on workers to have access to employment counsel and to obtain relief in court. Employees who are caught in these situations, are thus well advised to immediately seek a confidential and no cost consultation with experienced employment counsel.

* *

*

• Threats to report to the police or to the FBI that can throw the worker to jail;

• Threats to report to the immigration authorities that can lead to deportation. In a case, the workers were threatened to be returned to the Middle Eastern country where they were trafficked from and where they can be subject to flogging;

• Deceitful promises of immigration petitions and threatened withdrawal of these promises that can also result in deportation.

• Threats of harm to relatives in the home country;

• If the employee has signed loans in the home country, the threatened job termination would result in inability to pay the loans and resulting seizure of collateral properties

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

* * *

The Law Offices of C. Joe Sayas, Jr. welcomes inquiries about this topic. All inquiries are confidential and at no-cost. You can contact the office at (818) 291-0088 or visit www. joesayaslaw.com. [C. Joe Sayas, Jr., Esq. is an experienced litigation attorney who has successfully recovered wages and other monetary damages for thousands of employees and consumers. He was named Top Labor & Employment Attorney in California by the Daily Journal, selected as Super Lawyer by the Los Angeles Magazine for 10 years, and is a past Presidential Awardee for Outstanding Filipino Overseas.] (Advertising Supplement)

Gary Valenciano embarks on US Tour this Fall 2022

Mr. Pure Energy has sold out in two cities

MR. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano returns to the U.S. in “Gary V ReEnergized!” raring to go onstage with a live band and guests Yeng Constantino and Kiana V. Gary V, as he is called by fans, has sold out in Cache Creek and Temecula. Still available but low in ticket stock are Seattle (Sept 30) at the Pantages Tacoma, Los Angeles (October 9) at Royce Hall UCLA, Dallas (Oct 15) at Texas Hall UT Arlington, Anchorage (Oct 21) and New York (Oct 23).

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

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

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

In this concert “Gary V ReEnergized!” directed

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

As the song goes “Babalik Ka Rin,” Gary V keeps coming back on to the concert stage because the audience simply cannot get enough.

A Gary V show is truly a memorable experience, proven by his track record of sold out shows all over the world.

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

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

It is unlawful for any person to obtain labor or services by means of force, threat, or by any scheme or plan that would cause belief of harm on the worker.

Jessica Villarubin Photo from Instagram/@jessicavillarubin

Divorce mediation as an option prior to pursuing litigation

IF the divorcing parties are both reasonable in their expectations in resolving their family law case and if they don’t think involving lawyers in their divorce case early on would be an efficient and cost effective way of going about their divorce process, then perhaps mediation is the way to go.  It can be a more cost effective option to resolve your family law issues.  There may be situations where involving the wrong type of lawyers in either side of the case can turn your family law case into a circus and end up costing the parties unnecessary legal fees x2 (legal fees for each party).

Remember, legal fees from both parties can rapidly escalate

in litigation and those fees will be coming out of the same pie.   If both you and your spouse are open to a fair and amicable settlement in your family law case and both of you are not interested in playing games or weaponizing the judicial process against the other spouse, then both of you can benefit from trying mediation first before pursuing litigation.

This can result to a less stressful process and preserve the size of the pie that both of you are trying to divide in your divorce case.

By hiring an experienced mediator in your case, the mediator will serve as a “neutral” in your case.  A mediator with many years of family law trial experience to draw upon to advise you on a myriad of possible solutions to your family law issues that is fair to both parties under the California Family Code and case law can increase the chances of settling your case substantially and in cost effective manner with less stress.  Further, both parties can share in the cost

of the mediation services instead of each party paying for their own attorney to fight it out in court.   If you have young children, taking a scorch earth position in litigation might not be a good idea.  Remember, you will continue to co-parent your children even after the divorce case is over.  Through mediation, you might be able to avoid burning bridges with your ex spouse.  As part of the mediation services, mediators can also assist both parties in drafting the pleadings necessary to successfully complete the case.  This may include filing the divorce petition, preparing the required financial disclosures, and drafting the settlement agreement and stipulated judgment should the parties successfully settle the case.

Of course, there is no guarantee that you will be able to come to an agreement but chances are higher is done through an experienced mediator.  The good thing about family law is that

B8

Higher inflation and higher interest means more bankruptcies

WE’RE now 3 years into the pandemic which started in 2019.

The very sad American tragedy of more than 1.0M Covid deaths

In America, we have the great tragedy of having more than 1.0M Americans who died from Covid. Even with the new bivalent booster which specifically protects against Omicron and its subvariants and the original and Delta virus, we still have 400 Americans daily dying from it. Compare our number of dead Americans from Covid, to China’s Covid related deaths of 5,266 as of September 22, 2022 and you will realize the magnitude of the tragedy that American families have suffered and continue to suffer. Yes, no matter how you justify and look at it, we had a massive failure of leadership that has caused our American tragedy. Instead of requiring masking early on in 2020, which on hindsight would have saved hundreds of thousands of us

from getting infected and dying from “Rona”, we were told that it was nothing to worry about, that it would go away with hot summer weather, that all you needed was to drink or inject yourself with disinfectant, or expose yourself to sunlight, and all the while pointing the finger at China with Kung flu, the Chinese virus, thus creating and fomenting anti Asian hate crimes all over the country. But China only has 5,266 Covid deaths as of September 22, 2022 and we have more than a million dead Americans from Covid and more than a million American families suffering the loss of their loved ones. It’s the theater of the

EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT EMPLOYMENT

absurd that we were shown which we just acquiesced to.

We do not pray hard enough to the Sacred Heart of Jesus to ask for his infinite mercy

We have this tragedy here because as a people and as a Christian country, we did not and we do not pray enough to and seek the infinite mercy that flows from the Sacred Heart of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We think we are so great, being the most technologically advanced super power on this planet, with the power to kill all the humans who live on this earth ten times over. But we don’t pray enough to the one true God, Yahweh, and His dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from this kind of avoidable massacre of our innocents. Yes, all of our people who were killed by the virus were all innocent. They were guilty of nothing. Yet they were all sentenced to death by a total failure of leadership.

RENT

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 drive-thru 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.

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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

Realtor

Divorce mediation as an option...

each issue in a family law case is “divisible.”  This means it is not an all or nothing predicament like in civil cases.  You do not have to settle all the issues.  You can settle some of the issues that you are able to agree upon and litigation the other issues you have an impasse on in court at a later time.  For those issues you cannot settle in mediation, you will still have a chance to litigate them in court at a later time and

hire lawyers to represent you.

Both parties can also utilize experts as part of the mediation process. For example if you own a business and need the business to be appraised, the parties may jointly retain an expert for purposes of appraising the business during the mediation process in order to arrive at a fair and equitable division of community property.  If you own a property prior to marriage but there was a mortgage on the

property which was paid using community income during the marriage, you may have to involve an forensic accounting expert to calculate and apportion the community interest in the property during the mediation process.

In addition, most statements during mediation are privileged and confidential. The only statement or writing made in connection with mediation which can be disclosed without the express consent of both parties is the settlement agreement reached during the mediation. Except for limited exceptions created by the courts, nothing else said or written during or in the course of the mediation, or for the purpose of the mediation, can be received in evidence, compelled in discovery, or compelled as testimony in any proceeding.

California Evidence Code Section 1119, 1121, and 1123.

Of course, both you and your spouse need to agree to give mediation a chance and will be jointly retainer the services of a neutral. Mediation should be a process to think about as an option in your divorce prior to litigation. It can save you a lot of agony and resources.

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Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC.  This article is not a solicitation.

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Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com. (Advertising Supplement)

Can I get a green card if I had a previous marriage petition denied based on fraud?

DEAR Attorney Tan, I recently married a U.S. Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition could not be approved since the USCIS had determined that I previously entered into a fraudulent marriage to get a green card several years ago. My ex-husband previously filed an immigrant petition on my behalf several years ago, which was denied since USCIS determined that I only married him to get a green card. My second husband and I truly love each other. What are my options? -- In Love but Out of Status

Dear In Love but Out of Status,

Under INA Section 204(c), a person who “attempted or conspired to enter into a marriage” in order to receive permanent resident status in the U.S. is prohibited from obtaining USCIS approval of an immigrant visa petition. Simply stated, Section 204(c) prohibits approval of any immigrant visa petition if there has been a finding of “marriage fraud” in a prior marriage-based petition.

Based on the above law, your case seems at first glance like an “open-and-shut” case in favor of denial. However, you still have hope of getting a green card—a person can apply for and get his immigrant petition approved despite the prior finding of “marriage fraud”

under certain circumstances.

You may ask, how is this possible? Isn’t Section 204(c) straightforward? Not quite.

The answer lies in the fact that USCIS must independently examine the prior finding of “marriage fraud” in considering the subsequently filed immigrant visa petition. Before invoking the Sec. 204(c) bar to approval of a subsequent visa petition, USCIS must make an independent determination of fraud based upon the record, including but not limited to any evidence gathered during adjudication of the prior visa petition, but may not parrot or rely on the conclusions made by other adjudicators. USCIS must have “substantial and probative” evidence of “marriage fraud.”

Matter of Tawfik, 20 I. & N. Dec. 166, 168.

The determination is to be made by the USCIS district director while adjudicating the subsequent visa petition.

Matter of Samsen, 15 I. & N. Dec. 28, 1974 WL 29995 (B.I.A. 1974).

The district director should not give conclusive effect to the determinations made in the prior proceedings, but should reach his own independent conclusion based on the evidence actually before him.

Matter of F-, 9 I. & N. Dec. 684 (BIA 1962).

Therefore, in cases such as yours in which the USCIS has indicated it intends to deny the subsequent immigrant visa petition due to the prior finding of “marriage fraud,” new evidence can be submitted that demonstrates that the prior finding of “marriage fraud” was incorrect—i.e., evidence that shows that the prior marriage petition was based on a bona fide marriage, or that explains that the prior denial was based on an incomplete or inaccurate assessment of the facts. In cases in which the subsequent immigrant visa petition has already been denied, this new evidence should be submitted as part of a motion to reconsider. I recommend that you seek an experienced attorney to assist you in properly presenting the law and facts to the USCIS adjudicator to address the Section 204(c) bar.

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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.

* * * Darrick V. Tan, Esq. is admitted to practice law in California and Nevada. Mr. Tan is a graduate of UCLA and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the Consumers Attorney Association of Los Angeles and is a former member of the Board of Governors of the Philippine American Bar Association.

LAW OFFICES OF DARRICK V. TAN, 3580 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 900, Los Angeles, CA 90010. Tel: 323639-0277. Email: info@dtanlaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

Jessica eyes acting on stage...

chosen to portray as John Thomas in stage musical production of Miss Saigon in Guam). Every time  na kumakanta sila, parang iba talaga kaya gusto ko rin talaga mag-try  sa theater (plays).”

She, too, welcomes the idea of trying her hand in acting the way Julie Anne, Sarah Geronimo and Regine Velasquez did in films and on television.

“I will take every opportunity that will be given to me. If for example, there’s an offer in acting, it will definitely be fine with me. I am willing to learn new things  para rin malaman ko kung hanggang saan ang kaya kong gawin,” said Jessica.

As a singer, Jessica sure knows how to make listeners fall in love with her rendition of  Ikaw

Lang ang Iibigin, composed by Vehnee Saturno.

“I’m very thankful and honored to release a song composed by Sir Vehnee Saturno, who is a well-known composer. I know that a lot of singers are looking forward to work with him, that’s why I feel blessed to have been given this chance to sing his composition.  At marami rin po s’yang mga kanta at artist na pinasikat.

While the song speaks about love, Jessica said that she was able to express the right emotion for the single even though she’s happy being single.

“I was in a (romantic) relationship before, so I know the feeling of having someone special but now, I would like to focus on my career. I know that there is a right time for everything, including

Higher inflation and higher...

High prices for consumer goods, food and gasoline

As we emerge out of this pandemic, unless of course another variant comes out that evades the new booster, we are now faced with the highest inflation rate in the last 40 years of almost 10%, jacking up the prices of consumer goods, food and groceries, by 30% to 50%, not to mention very high gasoline prices which have reached $7/gallon at on point in time. Interest rates are way up. 30 year fixed rate mortgage rate is almost 7%. Credit card interest is north of 20%.

Rent moratoriums are ending

On the other hand, rent moratoriums will be ending soon. Gov. Newsom has just announced the rent moratorium in CA will end in January of 2023. So renters will have to resume rent payments and make arrangements to repay unpaid rents which can be a significant amount by February 1st, 2023. My client just wiped out $65K of unpaid rent with his Chapter 7 petition filed last week.

From a financial budget standpoint, it’s going to be really tight for a lot of families because of the much higher cost of food and gasoline, and the resumption of rent payments.

No more government financial help

There won’t be any more government relief to rely on to make ends meet. No more stimulus payments. No more PPP loans for small businesses to pay payroll and rent. No more unemployment payments to the self employed. Nada. Zero government financial assistance to rely on.

Families will in the near future require bankruptcy relief to make ends meet. How so? You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to figure this out. The family income remains the same while necessary expenses have increased by at least 40%. Rent payment has to be made or the family will be homeless. If the family net income is $5K for a family of four, rent is close to $2,000, food is close to $1,000, utilities, car payments, insurances another $2,000, there’s no money left for debt service.

Budget squeeze means no money left for debt service Debt service is what is required

to make minimum payments on credit cards. If your family owes $30K of credit cards, you need another $1,000 to make interest payments just to keep the $30K current. Where will families get an extra $1,000 a month? Drive Uber or Lyft? It’s not as simple as saying it. Maybe you can drive Uber on Sundays, right? Yeah, just work 7 days a week and die early, right? You’ll be ripe for a heart attack or a stroke after a couple of months. Your family needs you alive, not dead.

So, the simple way out of this financial catch 22 is just to get a fresh start without accumulated debt. Wipe out the $30K with a bankruptcy discharge and become productive again. Our constitution allows a fresh start with bankruptcy law. Keep most if not all of your assets but get rid of all accumulated debt.

Walt Disney filed Chapter 7 twice before his Disney Empire became wildly successful. Milton Hershey filed Chapter 7 once before his Hershey chocolates became the biggest chocolate business in the world. They know the necessity and benefit of a fresh start without accumulated debt. You should too, for the sake of your family.

Praying always helps It also helps to pray to our God, His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, and the Blessed Mother Mary for divine protection against financial problems, because we have a God who loves us and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, showers us with infinite mercy. All we have to do is humble ourselves and pray to the Sacred Heart of Jesus for a drop from his ocean of infinite mercy. Jesus revealed in 1930’s to Saint Maria Faustina Kowalska of Poland that all sinners which we all are and those who do not believe in God and those who do not yet know Jesus, should all be brought to His sacred heart and be submerged in the ocean of His infinite mercy, for the sake of His Sorrowful Passion. Anything you ask for when you pray the chaplet for His divine mercy will be granted, if compatible with His will. Moreover, you are guaranteed a peaceful death.

What is the current proof that God and Jesus are divine and all powerful? I refer you to exhibit A, the incorruptible body of Carlo Acutis!

Current ongoing physical

proof God is Almighty: Incorruptible body of Carlo Acutis died 2007 at age of 15 Look at the incorruptible body of the blessed Carlo Acutis who died at 15 in 2007. You can look at his body in Rome, Italy, now 14 years after his death. He looks like he’s just asleep in his jogging suit and rubber shoes! That is a perfect example of an ongoing sign on earth that the God of Moses, our God, my God, is almighty and all-powerful that He even suspends the natural laws of biology and physics without any effort. He resurrected His one and only beloved son from death on the cross. Indeed, He has power over death.

I have actually thought, “What would the other religions believe if they actually saw the incorruptible body of the blessed Carlo Acutis? I think even Buddha, if he were alive today, would truly believe that Yahweh is the one True God.” No need to think about reincarnation and nirvana because his incorruptible body is available for all to see in Rome, Italy. We won’t need any kind of explanation on the efficacy of modern day mummification. Come on, man, that’s all bull. The truth is in plain sight. Believe your own eyes, that the one true God is all-powerful and His name is Yahweh, “I am who am.” He is the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end.

foregoing

Lawrence Bautista Yang specializes in Bankruptcy, Business, Real Estate and Civil Litigation and has successfully represented more than five thousand clients in California. Please call Angie, Barbara or Jess at (626) 284-1142 for an appointment at 20274 Carrey Road, Walnut, CA 91789 or 1000 S. Fremont

A-10 South

Mailstop 58,

10042, Alhambra, CA 91803.

“ETERNAL FATHER, WE OFFER

THE BODY, BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY OF YOUR DEARLY BELOVED SON, JESUS CHRIST, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR, IN ATONEMENT FOR OUR SINS AND THOSE OF THE WHOLE WORLD, FOR THE SAKE OF HIS MOST SORROWFUL PASSION, PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON AMERICA AND THE WHOLE WORLD.”