100522 - Southern California Midweek Edition

AFTER 11 days in a St. Paul, Minnesota, skilled nursing facility recuperating from a fall, Paula Christopherson, 97, was told by her insurer that she should return home.

But instead of being relieved, Christopherson and her daughter were worried because her medical team said she wasn’t well enough to leave.

“This seems unethical,” said daughter Amy Loomis, who feared what would happen if the Medicare Advantage plan, run by UnitedHealthcare, ended coverage for her mother’s nursing home care. The facility gave Christopherson a choice: pay several thousand dollars to stay, appeal the company’s decision, or go home.

Health care providers, nursing home representatives, and advocates for residents say Medicare Advantage plans are increasingly ending members’

Biden marks Fil-Am History Month by celebrating

of Fil-Ams in

by AJPRESS

“celebrate” the “innumerable contributions and rich heritage” of the Fil-Am community.

“Jill and I are proud to recognize Filipino American History Month and celebrate the innumerable contributions and rich heritage of Filipino Americans across our nation,” Biden wrote in a message posted on Twitter and Facebook.

The message continued with, “We support,

honor, and thank you for all you have done to help fulfill the promise of America for all of us.”

In the U.S., October has been commemorated as Fil-Am History Month, following Congress’ declaration in November 2009. The month was chosen to mark the recorded presence in the continental United States as far back as October

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

THOUGH it feels as if Filipinos only just made it to the United States in the mid-to-late 20th century, it’s worth knowing that Filipinos made their mark centuries earlier.

The first recorded Filipinos to touch North American soil arrived on Oct. 18, 1587; Filipinos arrived in Morro Bay, California before the United States was founded.

The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) — the Seattle, Washington-based that first commemorated October as Filipino American History Month — declared FAHM 2022’s theme as “Celebrating Our History and Legacies: 50 years of Filipino American Studies, 40 Years of the FANHS, and 30 Years of Filipino American History Month.”

AMID unprecedented heat waves and major wildfires, California signed off on the state’s most ambitious effort to combat climate change with a $54 billion spending package designed to cut emissions and phase out fossil fuels.

The $54 billion funding “complements” a group of bills that Governor Gavin Newsom signed on Sept. 16 that aim to move the state closer to 100% clean energy, Newsom’s office said.

“We’re not interested in doubling down on stupid. We’re not interested in investing in the industries that have created the problems we’re trying to mitigate,” Newsom said after the signing at an event at the U.S. Forest Service office on Mare Island.

Newsom, who has sought to become a national leader in climate change action, said that this iteration of California’s efforts to confront climate change is the first step of

Palace to probe Percy Lapid slay

by DAPHNE GALVEZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is “concerned” over the killing of radio broadcaster Percy Lapid in Las Piñas on Monday night, October 3, Malacañang said.

Senior Deputy Executive Secretary Hubert Guevara said on Tuesday, October 4, Palace officials have been instructed to look at the investigation into Lapid’s ambush.

“The Office of the President, particularly President Marcos, is concerned with what happened to Percy Lapid,” he told reporters in an interview.

“In fact we have been instructed to take

a look at the conduct of the investigation on the ambush of him last night,” Guevara added.

Guevarra said he will meet with the authorities investigating the incident “ensure that the conduct of investigation proceeds without any problem and report to us hopefully within the next seven days.”

“I was in communication with certain officials who advised me that the Southern Police District has created a task force on Percy Lapid,” Guevara said.

Percival Mabasa, better known as Percy Lapid, a DWBL radio commentator, was shot dead Monday night at the gate of BF Resort Village in Talon Dos, Las Piñas. n

Marcos administration dealt with third resignation as Calida steps down from COA

MANILA — Jose Calida has stepped down as chairperson of the Commission on Audit, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said Tuesday, October 4, in what is now the third consecutive resignation involving top officials under the Marcos administration.

Bersamin told reporters of Calida’s resignation after 10 officials, excluding the former COA chairperson, were reappointed and took their oath before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. following their bypass by the Commission on Appointments.

Calida is the third top Marcos administration official to leave office just before the president completes his first 100 days in Malacañang.

Trixie Cruz-Angeles also told Philstar.com on Tuesday that she was resigning as press secretary due to health reasons, while Vic Rodriguez announced over two weeks ago that he is stepping down as executive secretary to focus on his family.

Prior to taking the helm of the COA, Calida was solicitor general, during which his office was flagged by state auditors over P10.774 million in excess

honoraria and allowances to 15 officials, including him. The COA also noted that the allowances were not disclosed by the OSG lawyers named in the report.

The audit body emphasized that additional compensation given to those serving in the government should not go beyond 50% of their annual basic salary. Calida in 2017 received P8.376 million in allowances, going beyond the 50% limit by P7.462 million as his annual basic salary was P1.828 million.

Both Calida and his predecessor, Florin Hilbay,

by CATHERINE S. VALENTE ManilaTimes.net

MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, October 4 defended President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. after receiving heavy flak over his unannounced trip to Singapore to watch the Formula 1 night race over the weekend.

Speaking to reporters, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said that Marcos carried out his duties as president while he was in Singapore.

"We cannot be defensive about it. I am not going to be defensive

about it. I would even dismiss yung [the] criticism. Yun ang [That is] insensitive. You are entitled to your own private time, private moments. If you love to do something, you should not be moved or impacted by others who may not agree with you," Bersamin said during a media interview.

Whether it was a fully paid trip or not, the new executive secretary said, is "irrelevant."

"I am sure if that was the trip of the President, you don't need

Palace defends BBM trip to Singapore, says he was still performing job as President

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. (center) meets with Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan (L) and Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng (left side of Marcos) and several other officials at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Singapore.

Photo credit: Tan See Leng’s Facebook

Jose Calida Philstar.com

UNITED States President Joe Biden paid tribute to the strength of Filipino Americans as the country celebrates October as Filipino American History Month.

The commander-in-chief took to social media to

Biden marks Fil-Am History...

PAGE 1

1587.

October 1992 was the first time that Filipino American History Month (FAHM) was celebrated in the United States – a year after FANHS passed a proclamation (spearheaded by Fred Cordova). Since then, FAHM has been celebrated annually all over the country – with initiatives by FANHS chapters, local community nonprofit groups, government organizations, and college student organizations.

The “advancement of Filipino Americans and as a time to renew efforts toward the examination of history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all people in the U.S. to learn more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to the Nation,” read Congress’ proclamation.

Last year, Biden also recognized the month by highlighting the contributions of Fil-Ams during World War II and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He acknowledged the service

and sacrifices of Filipino Americans frontliners during the pandemic, saying they are an "essential part" of the strength and diversity of the U.S.

The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) announced the FAHM 2022 theme as “Celebrating Our History and Legacies: 50 Years of Filipino American Studies, 40 Years of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), and 30 years of Filipino American History Month.” g

Marcos administration dealt with third...

then said that honoraria and allowances received by OSG lawyers are legal.

In 2019, the state auditor also flagged the OSG for airfare expenses accumulated in its 2018 foreign trips that totalled P7.128 million and were “not supported by complete documents.”

Aside from its untraced travel expenses, the OSG was also called out for their local training expenses that ballooned to over P1.27 million for opting to spend them in hotels and restaurants instead of in office premises.

The COA in 2019 also flagged the OSG for a P105,471 honoraria payment, supplies and

equipment expenses worth over P5.510 million.

The following year, the OSG was called out because of P1.169million worth of cash advances to pay for more local and foreign travels of its lawyers in 2019, which was again unsupported by required documents. (Xave Gregorio/Philstar.com)

Palace defends BBM trip to Singapore...

to be too particular about where the funds were sourced kasi he was still performing his job as President when he was abroad, although that is not an official

state visit," Bersamin said. "He met there with many people who were very relevant to our business activities or the running of our government here. Whether it was a fully-

paid trip or not is irrelevant," he added.

The Palace official said Marcos' race tickets were probably free or that he must have been invited to the event. g

HIGHER FARES. A passenger gives his fare to a driver while a fare matrix is displayed inside his jeepney plying the route Sta. AnaPaco-LRT along Paco in Manila on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Commuters would have to pay more as the fare hike in jeepneys, taxis, buses and transport network vehicle services (TNVS) took effect on Oct. 3. PNA photo by Alfred Frias

Unpacking California’s record-breaking $54 billion...

a larger plan that spans decades.

Among other things, cut carbon dioxide emissions by 85% by 2045, ban the sales of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, and build 3 million “climatefriendly homes” by 2030.

Previously, the California Legislature approved $54 billion of funding for climate projects over the next five years. Of that funding, $6.1 billion would be allocated toward electric vehicles, which would include battery-powered school buses. It would also direct $14.8 billion toward transportation projects, $8 billion toward power grid stabilization, $2.7 toward efforts to mitigate wildfires and $2.8 toward drought prevention.

California, which is ranked as the fifth-largest economy in the world, is working to make good on its California Climate Commitment, which Newsom’s office said will work over the next two decades to cut air pollution by 60%, reduce state oil consumption by 91%, reduce fossil fuels by 92%, and create 4 million new jobs within these sectors.

Since environmental justice became a major political talking point, advocacy groups argue that the climate change conversation often lacked an important part of the equation: the direct impact of global warming and its affect on disadvantaged communities, that largely include Black, Latino, and immigrant residents, located in areas of high risk.

“We believe that what happens with environmental policy

in California mostly affects communities of color that live in frontline communities along freeways, rural regions, [and] industrial corridors around the state. But the reality is that they don’t often get a say in these discussions,” said Arturo Carmona, managing partner at Tzunu Strategies, which recently hosted an ethnic media roundtable exploring climate change policy and its effect on communities across the Golden State.

The plan to build climatefriendly homes, climate experts said, could be significant for communities of color and immigrant communities. These homes would replace gas appliances with electric ones and include solar panels; the legislation states that half of these must be installed in lowincome and disadvantaged communities.

The plan also includes allocating $1.4 billion of surplus toward extending operating life of Diablo Canyon, California’s last surviving nuclear power plant, which was slated for closure. Newsom argued that the power plant played a recently pivotal role in providing emissions-free electricity during the September heat waves.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) was among the supporters of keeping Diablo Canyon open, penning a letter to the State Legislature: “The alternative to the closure of the reactors at Diablo Canyon will most likely be additional natural gas generation, which would

reverse progress on emissions reductions and worsen air quality.”

But Edward Smeloff, managing director of the environmental justice lobbying group Vote Solar, believes this “troubling aspect” of Newsom’s plan takes focus away from smaller projects that could directly benefit local communities.

“There’s no certainty that it will run reliably and putting $1.4 billion into that alternative just takes that money away from other purposes that could have a clear, positive impact,” Smeloff said, adding that the funding could have been put toward “community-based solar and battery storage projects” near communities of color and disadvantaged communities that bear the brunt of climate change’s harshest effects.

Smeloff acknowledged that although Newsom administration’s commitment to clean energy is groundbreaking, he said that lawmakers ought to “prioritize programs that impact disadvantaged communities and citizens in general rather than just big projects.”

These new actions by California are part of a larger movement across the nation to combat pollution and curb the overheating of the planet.

The Biden administration approved a $370 billion investment into wind, solar, and nuclear power, but at the behest of climate experts, states also have a responsibility to prioritize clean energy.

(By Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

Nursing home surprise: Advantage plans may...

coverage for nursing home and rehabilitation services before patients are healthy enough to go home.

Half of the nearly 65 million people with Medicare are enrolled in the private health plans called Medicare Advantage, an alternative to the traditional government program. The plans must cover — at a minimum — the same benefits as traditional Medicare, including up to 100 days of skilled nursing home care every year.

But the private plans have leeway when deciding how much nursing home care a patient needs.

“In traditional Medicare, the medical professionals at the facility decide when someone is safe to go home,” said Eric Krupa, an attorney at the Center for Medicare Advocacy, a nonprofit law group that advises beneficiaries. “In Medicare Advantage, the plan decides.”

Mairead Painter, a vice president of the National Association of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs who directs Connecticut’s office, said, “People are going to the nursing home, and then very quickly getting a denial, and then told to appeal, which adds to their stress when they’re already trying to recuperate.”

The federal government pays Medicare Advantage plans a monthly amount for each enrollee, regardless of how much care that person needs. This raises “the potential incentive for insurers to deny access to services and payment in an attempt to increase profits,” according to an April analysis by the Department of Health and Human Services’ inspector general. Investigators found that nursing home coverage was among the most frequently denied services by the private plans and often would have been covered under traditional Medicare.

The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently signaled its interest in cracking down on unwarranted denials of members’ coverage. In August, it asked for public feedback on how to prevent Advantage plans from limiting “access to medically necessary care.”

The limits on nursing home coverage come after several decades of efforts by insurers to reduce hospitalizations, initiatives designed to help drive down costs and reduce the risk of infections.

Charlene Harrington, a professor emerita at the University of California-San Francisco’s School of Nursing and an expert on nursing home reimbursement and regulation, said nursing homes have an incentive to extend residents’ stays. “Length of stay and occupancy are the main predictor of profitability, so they want to keep people as long as possible,” she said.

Many facilities still have empty beds, a lingering effect of the covid-19 pandemic.

When to leave a nursing home “is a complicated decision

because you have two groups that have reverse incentives,” she said. “People are probably better off at home,” she said, if they are healthy enough and have family members or other sources of support and secure housing. “The resident ought to have some say about it.”

Jill Sumner, a vice president for the American Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes, said her group has “significant concerns” about large Advantage plans cutting off coverage. “The health plan can determine how long someone is in a nursing home typically without laying eyes on the person,” she said.

The problem has become “more widespread and more frequent,” said Dr. Rajeev Kumar, vice president of the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine, which represents long-term care practitioners. “It’s not just one plan,” he said. “It’s pretty much all of them.”

As Medicare Advantage enrollment has spiked in recent years, Kumar said, disagreements between insurers and nursing home medical teams have increased.

In addition, he said, insurers have hired companies, such as Tennessee-based naviHealth, that use data about other patients to help predict how much care an individual needs in a skilled nursing facility based on her health condition. Those calculations can conflict with what medical teams recommend, he said.

UnitedHealthcare, which is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, bought naviHealth in 2020.

Sumner said nursing homes are feeling the impact. “Since the advent of these companies, we’ve seen shorter lengths of stays,” she said.

In a recent news release, naviHealth said its “predictive technology” helps patients “enjoy more days at home, and health care providers and health plans can significantly reduce costs.”

UnitedHealthcare spokesper son Heather Soule would not explain why the company lim ited coverage for the members mentioned in this article. But, in a statement, she said such decisions are based on Medi care’s criteria for medically necessary care and involve a review of members’ medical records and clinical conditions.

If members disagree, she said, they can appeal.

When the patient no longer meets the criteria for coverage in a skilled nursing facility, “that does not mean the member no longer requires care,” Soule said. “That is why our care coordinators proactively engage with members, caregivers, and providers to help guide them through an individualized care plan focused on the member’s unique needs.”

She noted that many Advantage plan members prefer receiving care at home. But some members and their advocates say that option is not always practical or safe.

Patricia Maynard, 80, a retired Connecticut school cafeteria employee, was in a

nursing home recovering from a hip replacement in December when her UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan notified her it was ending coverage. Her doctors disagreed with the decision.

“If I stayed, I would have to pay,” Maynard said. “Or I could go home and not worry about a bill.” Without insurance, the average daily cost of a semiprivate room at her nursing home was $415, according to a 2020 state survey of facility charges. But going home was also impractical: “I couldn’t walk because of the pain,” she said.

Maynard appealed, and the company reversed its decision. But a few days later, she received another notice saying the plan had decided to stop payment, again over the objections of her medical team.

The cycle continued 10 more times, Krupa said.

Maynard’s repeated appeals are part of the usual Medicare Advantage appeals process, said Beth Lynk, a CMS spokesperson, in a statement.

When a request to the Advantage plan is not successful, members can appeal to an independent “quality improvement organization,” or QIO, that handles Medicare complaints, Lynk said. “If an enrollee receives a favorable decision from the QIO, the plan is required to continue to pay for the nursing home stay until the plan or facility decides the member or patient no longer needs it,” she explained. Residents who disagree can file another appeal.

CMS could not provide data on how many beneficiaries had their nursing home care cut off by their Advantage plans or on how many succeeded in getting the decision reversed.

To make fighting the denials easier, the Center for Medicare Advocacy created a form to help Medicare Advantage members file a grievance with their plan.

When UnitedHealthcare decided it wouldn’t pay for an additional five days in the nursing home for Christopherson, she stayed at the facility and appealed. When she returned to her apartment, the facility billed her nearly $2,500 for that period.

After Christopherson made repeated appeals, UnitedHealthcare reversed its decision and paid for her entire stay.

Loomis said her family remains “mystified” by her mother’s ordeal.

“How can the insurance company deny coverage recommended by her medical care team?” Loomis asked. “They’re the experts, and they deal with people like my mother every day.” (Susan Jaffe/Kaiser Health News)

KHN (Kaiser Health News) is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).

KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation.

Updated vaccines: How to update your protection against COVID this fall

“Been there, done that.” People are feeling like they’ve heard enough about COVID-19. But staying on top of the facts, vaccinations, and level of spread in the community is still important to keep your family and communities safe. In fact, updated vaccines that can better protect against the highly transmissible Omicron variant and its subvariants are now available in the United States.

Here is what people should know about the updated COVID vaccines:

First, complete the primary series of a COVID vaccine. While more than 224 million Americans have been vaccinated, many could still get protection by completing a primary series with any of the available vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, or Novavax. COVID vaccines are available to everyone age 6 months or older living in the United States at no cost.

Updated vaccines provide extra protection. Recently, both Pfizer and Moderna have updated their vaccines to target the Omicron strains of the COVID virus that are causing nearly all COVID infections in the United States. The updated vaccines also provide protection against the original COVID virus.

Updated vaccines are available to anyone age 12 or older who has already completed the primary vaccination series. As the virus continues to change, vaccines will be updated annually to target the dominant variant.

Updated vaccines are now available. Updated vaccines are available for free and they are easy and convenient to get. Tens of thousands of sites including pharmacies, doctor’s offices, community health centers, and other places have the updated vaccines available. Most people will now be able to get one COVID vaccine, once a year, each fall. Just like your annual flu shot, get an updated COVID vaccine sometime between Labor Day and the end of October.

It doesn’t matter how many or few boosters you’ve had before. Anyone age 12 or older who has completed a primary series can get an updated vaccine regardless of whether they previously had zero, one, or more boosters. As long as at least two months have passed since the last dose, it is safe to get an updated vaccine.

Community spread matters.

While being up to date on vaccinations provides the best protection from severe illness,

hospitalization, and death from COVID, additional actions can further lower the risk of these complications, especially when COVID is increasing in your community.

Paying attention to the level of COVID transmission locally can help make decisions about what actions to take. For example, when there is an increased level of spread of COVID in your community, wear a mask in public indoor spaces, regardless of whether you’ve been vaccinated.

People who have not been vaccinated against COVID are at increased risk of severe illness and death. Vaccines, including the updated COVID vaccine, provide strong protection against hospitalization and death from COVID. Vaccination also reduces the spread of COVID and the emergence of new variants, further reducing risk for the entire community, especially those most vulnerable to COVID risks. This means that everyone can stay healthier and enjoy spending time with their loved ones during this fall and upcoming holiday season.

For more information and to find a vaccine, visit www. vaccines.gov. (From the We Can Do This COVID-19 Public Education Campaign)

Celebrating the ‘past, present, and future’...

Filipino American History Month is often mistaken as Filipino American Heritage Month, but FAHM was first established in 1992 to honor the past and to look back on the history of struggle, triumph, and evolution of Filipinos in America.

FANHS has emphasized the importance of recognizing history (as opposed to heritage) as it is a broader area to explore that includes understanding historical figures, events, and the lives of Filipinos rather than just cultural customs and traditions.

From the Morro Bay arrivals in the 16th century to the appointment of the first Filipino American attorney general in 2021, Filipino Americans have established themselves as a culturally significant community without which the United States would never be the same.

In 1982, Dorothy Laigo Cordova and her husband Fred Cordova — both of whom had been active in Filipino American advocacy since the 1950s as students at Seattle University — founded the FANHS, which was the first “national group committed to promoting and preserving Filipino American history,” according to FANHS’s website.

Through FANHS, the Cordovas made it their mission to educate Filipinos and non-Filipinos through community workshops and lectures, national conferences, and artistic and multimedia presentations. FANHS currently has 42 chapters across the United States.

Among the many milestones FAHNS is highlighting for FAHM 2022 includes the emergence of Filipino American history being taught in schools.

In 1962, UCLA and UC Davis taught the first Filipino American Studies (FAS) courses, which spawned other similar courses at other colleges in California — like San Francisco State University and City College of

San Francisco — and across the country, like Western Washington University and University of Hawai’i and other colleges in Oregon, Michigan and Virginia, according to FAHNS.

Over the next several decades, more schools and educational institutions would adopt FAS classes, from college-level courses to elementary school social studies curricula.

Since the mid-20th century, Filipinos in academia also began to pave the way across all disciplines. In addition to history, scholars from archaeology, psychology, communications, the sciences, and other areas of expertise would help establish the growing volume of academic journals, theory, and other research-based works that continue to help others better understand Filipino American history and identity.

FAHM 2022 marks the 30th official celebration since FANHS formally proclaimed October as Filipino American History Month.

The month of October was chosen to commemorate the Morro Bay arrival in 1587, but it was also chosen to honor renowned labor leader Larry Itliong, whose birthday falls on Oct. 25.

The impact of FANHS’s proclamation reached a head in 2009 when former President Barack Obama officially declared October as FAHM.

On Oct. 2, 2015, Obama would celebrate the first FAHM at the White House in which 175 Filipino American community leaders, donning traditional Filipino garb, were present for the historic gathering.

Since Obama’s first official recognition of Filipino American History Month, every U.S. president has recognized October as FAHM, issuing a statement of solidarity and acknowledgement of the Filipino American’s indelible impact on American history and identity.

President Joe Biden took

his social

to acknowledge the national observance of FAHM, saying, “Jill and I are proud to recognize Filipino American History Month and celebrate the innumerable contributions and rich heritage of Filipino Americans across our nation. We support, honor, and thank you for all you have done to help fulfill the promise of America for all of us.”

Filipinos comprise the secondlargest Asian group in the United States, behind Chinese and Chinese Americans. The Filipino American community itself is a diverse populace with a very rich immigrant community.

According to Pew Research, 69% of Filipino American adults were born outside the U.S.

As the community grows — and as the country at large becomes more diverse — Filipino Americans today are making history of their own.

Over the summer, the first major studio film with a majority-Filipino cast premiered in theaters. Pop stars Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., and Bruno Mars continue to be pop music mainstays on, not just American charts, but global charts as well.

Perhaps most notably, the scores of Filipinos in medicine — nurses, doctors, epidemiologists, and more — continue to guide the country and the world through a global pandemic.

The opportunities that are available to Filipino Americans are more bountiful than ever and despite the economic, social and cultural strifes that have come in the way, Filipinos today are more emboldened than ever to establish milestones and create their own paths.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who became the first Filipino American attorney general in California in 2021, tweeted on Oct. 1, “I’m grateful for our community’s incredible contributions to building this state and nation, and I reaffirm my ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers and widening pathways of opportunity for the Filipino American community.” g

1

Floating status

A new executive secretary has been sworn in, and he says there is no order creating the new position of presidential chief of staff. Administrative Order No. 1, supposedly signed by President Marcos creating the new post for his former “ES” and campaign spokesman Victor Rodriguez, has not been published in the Official Gazette or released to the public.

So what is the status of Rodriguez?

The first “little president” of the new administration stepped down in mid-September amid the controversial import order for 300,000 metric tons of sugar signed by Leocadio Sebastian, a career civil servant whose current status in government is as unclear as that of Rodriguez.

Editorial

Sebastian believed he had the authority to approve the sugar importation, based on a detailed description of his functions as Department of Agriculture undersecretary and chief of staff of the DA chief, as provided in an order signed by Rodriguez that has been made public. Sebastian told a congressional inquiry that he informed Rodriguez several times about the looming importation. In the absence of any comment from Rodriguez, Sebastian said he proceeded with the import order, amid a sugar shortage that the government initially denied.

Sebastian has since been placed under preventive suspension and recommended by the Senate for administrative and criminal indictment in connection with the sugar import order. Senators,

Babe’s Eye View

BABE ROMUALDEZ

AS instructed by the President, we prepared a fully jam-packed schedule for him during his six-day working visit to the United States.

He had countless meetings and dialogues with business executives of top American companies, as well as forums/ roundtable discussions with organizations that include the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Asia Society and the World Bank Group.

The meetings covered key sectors that include digital infrastructure, business process management, information technology, aviation, security, agriculture and energy as well as climate change and disaster response.

The discussion with global food corporation Cargill for instance centered on boosting agricultural productivity and how the Philippines can attain food security and selfsufficiency. The dialogue with NuScale Power – whose groundbreaking proprietary technology in designing advanced nuclear small

however, cleared Rodriguez of accountability in the mess.

Rodriguez himself announced he was stepping down with the President’s approval, saying in a press statement on Sept. 17 that he would continue “serving… the country” as the Malacañang chief of staff. The Office of the Press Secretary announced that Marcos had signed AO No. 1 creating the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff, which would be under the direct supervision of the Office of the President. The press secretary provided details of the functions of the OPCOS.

Chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile, however, said the broad powers supposedly given to the COS would duplicate or overlap with those of other offices in the OP including his own, and create tension. Retired chief justice Lucas Bersamin, upon being sworn in as the new executive secretary on Sept. 27, reportedly said he was not aware that AO No. 1 had been signed by the President.

Bersamin is currently holding office in the Office of the Executive Secretary, so his predecessor must be “floating” around Malacañang. While

Palace intramurals even in the early months of a new administration are not unusual, care must be given to prevent such controversies from adversely affecting governance. The floating status

A ‘new dawn’ in Philippines-US economic ties

modular reactors has made it an industry leader – was very informative as it delved on clean energy and the potential of nuclear in lowering electricity costs and mitigating climate change. Other companies that met with the president include Boeing, WasteFuel and Procter & Gamble.

A key engagement was the Philippine Economic Briefing, and joining the president were members of his economic and infrastructure teams that include Finance Secretary Ben Diokno, BSP Governor Felipe Medalla, Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual, NEDA chief Arsenio Balisacan, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, Transportation Secretary Jimmy Bautista, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, Public Works and Highways Secretary Manuel Bonoan and Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy.

Among the big names that composed the business delegation that joined the president in New York are Aboitiz Group CEO Sabin Aboitiz who is also lead convenor of the Private Sector Advisory Council, ICTSI chairman Ricky Razon, the SM Group’s Hans Sy, San

Miguel Corp. chairman and CEO Ramon Ang, JG Summit president Lance Gokongwei, Michael Tan of the LT Group, Armscor CEO Martin Tuason, George Barcelon of PCCI and Magsaysay Group president and CEO Doris Ho.

President Marcos invited “strategic investors” to participate in the country’s economic resurgence, saying that “key structural reforms have been set into place to allow for wider participation in our industries. With the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises Act or what we refer to as CREATE and the economic liberalization measures, we have expanded the space for foreign investments in previously protected sectors, especially those that employ advanced technologies and research and development activities.”

He spoke about the strong and enduring ties between the United States and the Philippines in all aspects of the relationship that include the areas of trade, commerce and development, with the U.S. being our third largest trading partner and fourth major source of foreign direct investments. He also assured businessmen about the

reliability of the Philippines as a host for international partnerships, highlighting the country’s favorable business climate, sound macroeconomic fundamentals and the clear roadmap towards economic recovery and sustained growth, stressing that an even wider space has been created for mutually beneficial investments.

Meeting him in person, the U.S. business executives, institutional investors and fund managers who took part in the economic briefing welcomed the openness of the President in listening to their concerns. The way PBBM articulated his economic recovery program resonated extremely well with the businessmen, giving them confidence and the assurance they needed to hear, during the economic briefing.

As Sabin Aboitiz put it, the President has the ability to “bring together the best minds in business, use them to find real solutions to real problems and then immediately implement them like he was flipping a switch.”

Several American investors also privately told me that they were encouraged by what they heard from the President and his team, all looking at expanding

their operations in the country while some are mulling the possibility of diversifying their manufacturing activities or moving their operations out of China due to the supply chain disruptions brought about by the pandemic, increasing labor wages and costs, the trade war between the U.S. and China, among other issues.

Those that could benefit from the situation are ASEAN member-nations that include the Philippines. In fact, a lot of global companies have been resorting to the “China Plus One” strategy, which is simply the diversification of their manufacturing businesses to other Asian countries, with the ASEAN region a strong contender with its combined GDP of $3.3 trillion in 2021 amounting to 3.4 percent of world GDP, according to IHS Markit.

“Over the long-term, the ASEAN region is expected to overcome the protracted negative economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to be one of the fastest growing regions of the world economy,” IHS Markit said in its report last August.

While we work closely with our ASEAN brothers here

in Washington to enhance relations between the regional bloc and the United States, as diplomats, we also have our national interest and specific agenda that we must pursue for our respective nations –making us competitors in one sense. My description is that “we are gladiators by day, but collaborators at night.”

PBBM has always been interested in business and had always wanted to be a businessman. Judging from the outcome of his working visit to New York, he is turning out to be our number one marketing executive – promoting the country as the “smart investment choice” – and that the best time to do business with the Philippines is now.

While we generated $3.9 billion in investment pledges, that is really just the beginning of what I see to be a “new dawn” in our economic relationship with the United States – and that moment has come. (Philstar.com)

* * *

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

* * * babeseyeview@gmail.com

Saving water & building a more resilient future

CALIFORNIA’S climate has changed. We are experiencing more extreme weather – hotter temperatures, longer and more severe droughts, worsening wildfires and dangerous flash flooding. We’re seeing this not just in California, but across the entire American West.

These changes mean we must continue adapting to a hotter, drier future. Without action, state officials believe extreme weather could diminish California’s water supply by up to 10 percent by 2040.

The state has implemented unprecedented measures to cut water use, build storage capacity and increase supply. And it’s also up to all of us to keep doing our part to curb our water use.

California is investing billions of dollars into concrete actions that will secure the future of our state’s water supply. These key actions are part of a comprehensive water resilience plan, “California’s Water Supply Strategy, Adapting to a Hotter, Drier Future,” which my administration released in August to highlight how we can stretch existing supplies and develop new sources to replace the water we will lose in this new era of warming temperatures.

The plan outlines our aggressive, science-led approach to addressing California’s water future by reimagining the way we source, store and deliver water statewide for future generations. To match the pace of climate change, we know we must move smarter and faster – and we’re doing that.

Californians have repeatedly answered the call to use less water in past droughts. As the state prepares for the possibility of a fourth dry year and potential weather extremes, it’s more important than ever that all of us adopt water conservation as a way of life.

For many homeowners, most water use and waste happens in our yards – in some areas, up to 75 percent of residential water use comes from sprinklers and other outdoor irrigation.

The good news is there are simple actions we can take right now to help save water in a big way. Simply watering your lawn less and fixing leaks inside and outside the house can save thousands of gallons of water each year.

If you’re ready to make bigger changes outside, updating yards with native landscaping that includes water-wise plants and hardscaping elements, like pavers, granite or bark, can create yearround outdoor living spaces that eliminate the need to weed, mow and water regularly.

The state is working closely with local water agencies and other partners to ensure that Californians have access to the resources you need to help. Check with your local water agency for rebates to help cover some of these costs and to find out about community resources that can help you replace grass with water-smart landscaping that you, your family and your pets can all enjoy.

Californians know how to meet the moment, and together, we can create necessary change for a water-smart future. The recently enacted state budget includes $3.6 billion over four years for immediate drought support and long-term water resilience. Including allocations in the 2021 state budget, a total of $8.7 billion has been dedicated to support drought resilience and response. This includes $175 million for lawn replacement and other water conservation strategies.

By making saving water a way of life, we can adapt and thrive. And if we each do our part, we can make our water last for generations to come. Together we can save water, and save California.

Media Services)

of Rodriguez also smacks of indecision that could reflect badly on the President himself. This issue must be resolved with dispatch and decisiveness. (Philstar.com)

from

Dateline PhiliPPines

Marga Gograles takes helm as new TPB COO Canadian, Dutch embassies call on authorities to ensure safety of journalists

MANILA – The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), announces that Ms. Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles has officially assumed the role of Chief Operating Officer today, 04 October 2022.

Nograles was appointed member of the TPB Board of Directors in an appointment letter issued by the Malacañang released on 15 September 2022. Following this, the said Board convened and officially elected her into office in accordance with the GOCC Governance Act of 2011 and Tourism Act of 2009.

A recognized entrepreneur in the local fashion and retail industry, Nograles is the owner and proprietor of Kaayo Modern Mindanao, a clothing and accessories brand showcasing a curated collection of traditional weaves created by artisan women in Mindanao.

Her love for culture and fashion combined made her realize a potent medium of advocacy to provide a sustainable livelihood for women and artisans and establish a creative platform to showcase the worldclass weaving craftsmanship of the Philippines.

“Kaayo Modern Mindanao has been my baby, my passion project, my heart, and my soul. It was not easy to make this decision but now given the opportunity to bring more of the Philippines to the world, it is with a humble and grateful heart that I step down as Creative Director of Kaayo and take on my new role - for the country,” said TPB COO Nograles.

“I am deeply humbled, honored, and blessed to have been appointed as Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines. I can only bow in profound gratitude and pray to God for guidance, wisdom, fair judgment, and inspiration to be able to discharge my duties in accordance with God’s will and the tourism agenda of our country,” she added.

Just like how she championed sustainable livelihood programs that uplift women and local artisans in Mindanao, Marga Nograles as COO commits to forging meaningful partnerships,

embracing responsible and sustainable tourism programs, and supporting stakeholders following the multidimensional tourism approach under the seven-point agenda of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

“My fervent hope is to meet the expectations entrusted to me by DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, whom I shall support and work with diligently. May I be relevant as I learn from my mentors and may my heart & mind be focused on how promotions can best benefit our communities and the only country we call home!" enthused TPB COO Nograles.

Nograles will lead TPB to implement strategic domestic and international marketing and promotional efforts to revitalize the Philippine tourism industry as a sustainable, dynamic, worldclass tourism, MICE and investment destination.

Born in Davao City, Nograles spent her school years at the Ateneo de Davao University and graduated with a degree in AB Interdisciplinary Studies, Major in Management and Communications from the Ateneo de Manila University.

Since then, Marga has been involved in fashion and retail, with her being awarded the exclusive subdistributorship of Havaianas in Southeast Mindanao in 2005 paving the way for her entrepreneurial journey.

In 2000, she worked on special projects with the Philippine Department of Tourism in New York, such as the “Balik Davao” campaign which featured a fashion show that highlighted Mindanao designers.

She is married to Atty. Karlo Alexei Nograles, the current Chairperson of the Civil Service Commission. Together they have three children: Karlos Mateo, Kristian Massimo, and Katarina Mikaelle.

Nograles succeeds Atty. Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones who is now the Undersecretary for Finance and Internal Affairs at the Department of Migrant Workers. g

UK travel magazine nominates PH ‘most desirable country’

MANILA — The Philippines has been nominated for “most desirable country” as well as for two other categories by a United Kingdom-based travel magazine.

Wanderlust travel magazine included the Philippines as one of the countries in the “most desirable country” category “for the rest of the world.”

Cebu and Palawan were also nominated as the most desirable region and most desirable island, respectively.

The Department of Tourism has urged Filipinos to “show support” and vote for the country in Wanderlust’s website. The voting will close on Oct. 25.

Last year, Wanderlust named

Australia as the most desirable country for the long haul, while France was named for the short haul.

British Columbia was the most desirable region for the long haul last year, while the Greek Islands was the most desirable region for the short haul. (Ralph Edwin Villanueva/Philstar.com)

by Kaycee Valmonte Philstar.com

MANILA – Following the killing of broadcaster Percival Mabasa, also known as Percy Lapid, the embassies of Canada and the Netherlands in the Philippines are calling on authorities to ensure the safety of journalists in the country.

The envoys urge authorities to “take concrete steps to ensure not only that the perpetrators are brought to justice, but to create a safe environment for journalists to carry out their work without fear for their lives and safety.” The European Union in the Philippines also backed the statement.

“We express our grave concern about the killing of broadcast commentator Mr. [Mabasa] by unidentified assailants last night,” the two embassies said in a joint statement on Tuesday, October 4.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones he left behind.”

The broadcaster, who is also a staunch critic of former President Rodrigo Duterte and President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., was shot while driving his vehicle along the gate of his subdivision in Las Piñas City on Monday evening, October

3.  A report by Las Piñas police logged that Mabasa was shot by two male suspects riding a motorcycle without a plate number.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines noted that he is the second journalist killed under the administration of Marcos Jr. The first was another broadcaster, Rey Blanco, who died after being stabbed to death in Negros Oriental just last month.

“Journalist killings strike at the very core of media freedom and can create a chilling effect tat curtails the ability of journalists to report news freely and safely,” the embassies said.

“Such attacks on media workers must be urgently investigated, and those responsible must be held to account.”

The National Capital Region Police Office has since formed a Special Investigation Task Force to look into Mabasa’s murder. The Las Piñas City Police was also given a 24hour deadline to “shed light on the matter and solve the case.”

The Canadian and the Dutch embassies welcome the action taken by law enforcement agencies since the incident.

The two embassies co-chair the Media Freedom Coalition

USS New Orleans arrives in Subic port for training exercise

MANILA — The USS New Orleans is at Subic, the former U.S. naval base, in Zambales for exercises with the Philippine military. U.S. sailors and marines are in the Philippines for the Kamandag exercises.

"New Orleans, part of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, along with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region," the U.S. 7th Fleet said in a Facebook post on Monday.

The New Orleans has a crew of 361 and a 72-member complement of Marines. Its hangar can store up to two aircraft and the U.S. Navy said it can launch or simultaneously recover four CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters or two MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. (Philstar.com)

in the Philippines. The 52-member alliance include other countries such as Australia, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (with reports from Xave Gregorio and Franco Luna/Philstar.com)

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (LACMTA) INVITATION FOR BID

LACMTA will receive bids for OP44946 - In-Ground Heavy Duty Hydraulic Lifts Parts, Repair and Training at the 9th Floor Receptionist Desk, Vendor/Contract Management Department, One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

This project is a Small Business Enterprise (SBE) SetAside contract. To participate in this IFB, bidders must be SBE certified with LACMTA prior to proposal due date. For information on the Set-Aside program, visit: https://business. metro.net/VendorPortal/faces/ home1/certifications

All Bids must be submitted on forms furnished by LACMTA, and must be filed at the reception desk, 9th floor, V/CM Department, on or before 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, November 17, 2022, at which time bids will be opened and publicly read. Bids received later than the above date and time will be rejected and returned to the bidder unopened. Each bid must be sealed and marked Bid No. OP44946.

For a copy of the Proposal/ Bid specification visit our Solicitation Page on our Vendor Portal at https://business.metro. net or for further information email Shannon Thoene at thoenes@metro.net. 10/5/22

CNS-3629511#

ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Philippines tops global disaster risk index

by KaycEE ValMontE Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines ranked first on the list of global disaster risk hotspots based on the latest World Risk Index report, which measures a country’s exposure and vulnerability to natural hazards.

The study, prepared by Germany-based Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft and the Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV) at Ruhr University Bochum, showed that the Philippines logged an index score of 46.82.

The Philippines was also one of the countries identified vulnerable to disasters caused by extreme natural events, which include earthquakes, storms or flooding.

India trailed in second with an index score of 42.31, Indonesia came third with 41.46 and Colombia ranked fourth at 38.37. Mexico, Myanmar, Mozambique, China, Bangladesh and Pakistan also formed part of the world’s top 10 countries with the highest disaster risk scores.

“Risk hotspots” were said to

be located in the Americas and in Asia.

The study assessed how 193 countries are more prone to disasters using an updated index, which now uses 100 indicators versus the previous 27.

“In particular, the inclusion of indicators on how populations have been affected by disasters and conflicts in the past five years, as well as on refugees, displaced persons and asylum seekers in the new index — also against the backdrop of the major global migration movements — results in a significantly more accurate representation of the realities of life in many countries," IFHV Research Associate Daniel Weller said.

Emerging technologies

This year’s report also focused on how digitalization and emerging technologies can help countries prepare for natural events and create responsive systems to aid affected communities.

It recommended that data from digital systems must be kept safe and discouraged organizations from making a business out of digital techniques, among other suggestions moving forward.

In 2021, the Philippines ranked eighth on the risk index with a score of 21.39 and placed ninth among countries with the highest exposure to disaster.

The Philippines is battered by an average of 20 typhoons each year and is geographically located in the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Earlier this year, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Abra in August, affecting over half a million individuals or155,911 families. The strong quake also left 11 dead and 609 injured. It damaged an estimated P74.896 million worth of agricultural products and over P9.732 million in livestock, poultry, and fisheries.

Most recently, Super Typhoon Karding (international name: Noru) left 12 dead, including five rescuers, 67 injured, and five remain missing after moving across Luzon last week, affecting 1.07 million people.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has already called for a review of the government’s disaster response procedures to streamline multiple agency response systems. g

‘Green’ energy open to foreigners – DOJ

by Franco Jose c. Baroña ManilaTimes.net

FOREIGNERS can own 100 percent of renewable or "green" energy projects in the Philippines, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said.

In a legal opinion it issued on September 29, the DOJ said the renewable energy sector is not covered by the 60-40 ownership rule in Section 2, Article XII of the Constitution.

It said, "the Constitutional foreign ownership restriction on the exploration, development and utilization of natural resources only covers things that are susceptible to appropriation, thus excluding the sun, the wind, and the ocean."

The DOJ said the phrase "all forces of potential energy" in the Constitution should be interpreted to exclude "kinetic energy" such as renewable energy.

Potential energy is defined as "energy at rest," while kinetic energy is "energy in motion."

Renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and ocean or tidal energy are therefore considered kinetic energy sources.

The DOJ said the investment

cap only seeks to "preserve for Filipinos limited and exhaustible resources."

The "appropriation of waters, direct from the source, for power generation" should continue to be subject to the foreign ownership restriction, the DOJ said.

Before more foreign investments in renewables are allowed, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 (Republic Act 9513) must be amended to conform with the opinion, it said.

The government is planning to increase the share of renewable energy in the power generation mix to 35 percent by 2030, and increase it further to 50 percent by 2040.

Based on Department of Energy (DoE) data, renewables make up 22 percent of the generation mix, with coal having the biggest share at 58 percent.

As of June, a total of 998 renewable energy contracts with a combined installed capacity of 5,460.59 megawatts and a potential capacity of 61,613.81 MW have been awarded by the DoE.

Under current rules, foreign firms may go into renewable

energy development through a service or operating contract with the government, but they cannot own more than 40 percent of a project.

In a statement, Energy Secretary Raphael Lotilla said the DoE is already revising the IRR of RA 9513 which places the exploration, development, production and utilization of natural resources under the government's full control and supervision.

"Private sector investments are central [to] achieving our renewable energy targets and vision for the Filipino people and this is a welcome development for our foreign investors to invest in renewable energy production here in our country," Lotilla said.

He thanked Justice Secretary Crispin "Boying" Remulla "for this favorable development which will pave the way for the opening of foreign investments in renewable energy development."

In 2020, the government allowed full foreign ownership of large-scale geothermal projects through financial and technical assistance agreements as long as the minimum investment amounted to $50 million. g

Metro subway a magnet for investors – Marcos

by Kristina Maralit ManilaTimes.net

PRESIDENT Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday said he is confident foreign investments will be pouring into the country once the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) is completed in 2028.

The President spoke during the groundbreaking of the subway's Ortigas and Shaw Boulevard stations and tunnels.

"Let the breaking ground of this subway system signal our intention to the world to pursue even grander dreams and more ambitious endeavors that will bring comfort and progress to our people all over the country," Marcos said as he vowed that his administration will launch "grander" initiatives under its Build Better More Infrastructure Agenda.

"With accessible designated stations that can cater to a massive volume of passengers, we anticipate helping our people skip the long lines of traffic and even spare themselves from the perils of commuting. With improving linkages of key areas in business districts in the metro,

as well as the availability of stalls and other stores in the stations and nearby markets, we can see more business opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors and additional economic activity," he added.

The MMSP, which was initiated by the Duterte administration, is the country's first underground railway system. It will run from Valenzuela City to Bicutan, a length of more than 33 kilometers, and have 17 stations.

The groundbreaking signals the closure of a portion of Meralco Avenue in Pasig City — from Capitol Commons to Shaw Boulevard. Traffic in the area has been rerouted to give way to the construction.

Officially referred to as Contract Package 104, the P17.75-billion project is funded by loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

The project, which will be undertaken by the TokyuTobishima Megawide Joint Venture (TTM-JV), includes the construction of two underground stations and tunnels at Ortigas North and Ortigas South.

It is designed to carry 150,000 passengers a day once the first

phase is finished in six years.

The Department of Transportation hopes to partially open the subway in 2025.

Once fully operational, the MMSP can accommodate more than 519,000 passengers a day and is expected to cut travel time from Valenzuela City to Bicutan City to just 45 minutes, and the 90-minute trip between Quezon City and the Manila airports to just 35 minutes.

The President asked for the public's patience for the "small inconveniences" they will endure while the subway is being built.

"Although it is a given that the construction of these structures will take time and cause disruption, let us be optimistic and just count the small inconveniences as a small price to pay for the fruitful results that this project will yield," he said.

Joining the President at the groundbreaking ceremony were Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa; Senators Mary Grace Poe, Joseph Victor "JV" Ejercito and Mark Villar; JICA Chief Representative Takema Sakamoto, and Pasig City Mayor Victor Ma. Regis "Vico" Sotto.

Helicopter deal: Sandigan junks graft rap vs Mike Arroyo

by ElizabEth MarcElo Philstar.com

MANILA — Former first gentleman Jose Miguel “Mike” Arroyo is now free of legal battle before the Sandiganbayan following the dismissal of a graft complaint filed against him over the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s purchase of allegedly overpriced helicopters in 2009.

In a three-page resolution promulgated on Sept. 21 but made public only on Monday, October 3, the anti-graft court’s Seventh Division granted Arroyo’s motion to dismiss the case for violation of Republic Act 3019 or the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.

The Sandiganbayan cited in its resolution the Supreme Court (SC)’s Dec. 1, 2021 decision granting Arroyo’s appeal to be dropped as co-respondent in the case.

The Seventh Division previously denied Arroyo’s motion to quash the case, prompting him to challenge the ruling before the SC.

On Jan. 27, 2020, the high court denied Arroyo’s petition for certiorari. But in a resolution promulgated on Dec. 1, 2021, the SC granted his motion for reconsideration and ordered the Sandiganbayan to drop him from the case regardless of the stage of the proceedings.

The Seventh Division noted that the high tribunal’s Dec. 1, 2021 ruling has become “final

and executory.”

The Sandiganbayan also ordered the release of the bail bond that Arroyo posted for his provisional liberty.

The court likewise recalled the hold departure order issued against Arroyo, which prevented him from leaving the country without the court’s permission.

The proceedings of the graft cases filed against 11 former PNP officers will continue.

In a separate resolution issued on Sept. 28, the Seventh Division denied the motion filed by former PNP property

inspector Avensuel Dy seeking to dismiss the complaint.

The other respondents were former PNP chief Jesus Verzosa and nine other former police officers: Romeo Hilomen, Roman Loreto, Claudio Gaspar Jr., Ronald Roderos, Ruben Gongona, Ma. Linda Padojinog, Leocadio Salva Santiago Jr., Ermilando Villafuerte and Job Nolan Antonio.

Filed by the ombudsman in 2012, the cases stemmed from the PNP’s purchase of three helicopters from Manila Aerospace Products Trading Corp. in 2009.

The acquisition includes two standard Robinson R44 Raven I light police operational helicopters worth P62,672,086.90 and a Robinson R44 Raven II LPOH amounting to P42,312,913.10.

The ombudsman said a resolution issued by the National Police Commission in 2008 prescribed that the helicopters to be purchased by the PNP should be brand new.

Ombudsman probers said only the Robinson R44 Raven II was brand new. The two other helicopters were pre-owned by Arroyo, thus there was an overpayment of around P34 million.

Arroyo had argued that the ombudsman’s prosecution team failed to prove his ownership of the helicopters as the transactions were traced to Asian Spirit LTA Inc. g

UNDAS PREPS. A worker sprays weed killing chemical on a walkway near an apartment-style tombs at the Panteon De Dasmarinas public cemetery in Barangay Sampaloc IV, Cavite on Tuesday, Oct. 4. Less than a month before All Saints’ Day, workers would start cleaning and painting the cemetery grounds. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

Government officials broke ground for the two main stations of the planned Metro Manila Subway Project in Pasig City on October 3. Philstar.com photo by Jessy Bustos

This photo taken Nov. 12, 2018 shows former first gentleman Mike Arroyo, husband of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, attending a Sandiganbayan hearing on the graft case filed against him in connection with the alleged sale of overpriced helicopters to the PNP in 2009. Philstar.com file photo

Ac tion- comedy film ‘Lumpia with a Vengeance’ rolls out in theaters nationwide

by Donnabelle GatDula arevalo / AJPress

JUST in time for this year’s celebration of Filipino American History Month (FAHM), the award-winning Fil-Am indie comedy feature film, “Lumpia with a Vengeance” rolls out in major theaters across the country.

“Lumpia with a Vengeance” is a representation of Filipinos’ unique character, heritage and culture rolled into one like a wrapped “lumpia,” said the film’s producer and director Patricio Ginelsa, in an interview with the Asian Journal

Lumpia, the eggroll filled with a savory mix of ground pork, beef and veggies, is an all-time favorite at Filipino gatherings and a crowd-pleasing snack for all ages.

The film has received an endorsement from the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS), which is officially co-presenting the film nationally.

“‘Lumpia with a Vengeance’ is proud to be unabashedly Filipino American and doesn’t apologize or need to explain why. It’s a glimpse to not only our culture but into our nuances, our humor, and more importantly our history,” said Ginelsa, during a recent special screening at the Ray Stark Theater at the University of Southern California, where he graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in cinema production.

Asked how they came up with the film’s title, Ginelsa said, “While it’s obviously done for laughs, the hero taking on such an odd icon as his superhero symbol is common in the comic book world.”

“One of the most popular superheroes dresses like a bat while another takes on the symbol of the spider. So why not lumpia? It’s the most iconic food of the Filipino community. It’s a parody but the idea of

weaponizing lumpia as a source of pride and cultural branding isn’t fictional,” he added.

True to its catchy and funny title, Ginelsa said the film is made to be enjoyed by movie enthusiasts — who after two years of hiatus due to the pandemic — deserve a good laugh.

“Hopefully, people will enjoy it and have fun. We need to laugh nowadays, just to have fun. I think a lot of us were so quarantined together. What a good

time to watch a big screen and just enjoy each other’s company. We hope you enjoy our movie as much as we enjoyed making it. Love that lumpia!,” he said.

“Lumpia with a Vengeance” is a sequel from the 2003 homegrown, minimal budget film “Lumpia” (also directed by Ginelsa), which takes place in the late-90s at the fictional Fogtown High School. The plot of the original film focuses on a group of high school friends Continued on Page 10

Gary Valenciano embarks on US Tour this

MR. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano returns to the US in “GaryV ReEnergized!” raring to go onstage with a live band and guests Yeng Constantino and Kiana V. GaryV, 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 GaryV 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 “GaryV ReEnergized!” directed

by Paolo Valenciano and musical direction by his longtime collaborator Mon Faustino, GaryV 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,” GaryV 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.

“Lumpia With A Vengeance” actors Darion Basco and Meriden Villanueva bookend director/writer/producer Patricio Ginelsa at the USC School of Cinematic Artshosted preview screening of their film.

“Lumpia With A Vengeance” principal cast members Mark Muñoz (Kuya), April Absynth (Ate) and Katrina Dimaranan (Jemini) with director/writer/producer Patricio Ginelsa at the sold out “Origins of The Deep Fried Universe” panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2022.

Cast and crew of “Lumpia With A Vengeance” gather for a team shot at San Diego Comic-Con 2022. Photos courtesy of Winston Emano,

San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila Fiesta, a huge success!

The 14th San Fernando Regional Celebration of the Feast of San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila– the first Filipino Saint and Martyr was an amazing and successful event! It was held on Saturday, September 24, 2022, and hosted by Incarnation Catholic Church, Glendale. They were graced with the presence of Most Rev. Roberto C. Mallari, D.D., Bishop of the Diocese of San Jose Nueva Ecija, Philippines, and the Principal Celebrant. Other concelebrants priests were Rev. Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Pastor of Incarnation Church, Glendale and Priest Liaison of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Joy Santos, Pastor in St. Genevieve, Panorama City, and President of Filipino Priests’ Association of Los Angeles, Fr. Ramon Reyes, Associate Pastor in Incarnation Catholic Church,

Glendale, Fr. Bong Romano and Fr. Manny Guico of the Diocese of San Jose, Nueva Ecija, Fr. Joel Henson – Associate Vicar for Clergy, Archdiocese of Los Angeles, Fr. Joshua Alvero, Chaplain at VA Medical Center, and Fr. Orly Sunga from the Archdiocese of San Francisco. The Deacons were Dominic Pontrelli, Michael Morgan, Jaime

Abrera, and Jonson Mallari.

The message conveyed by Bishop Mallari to the congregation is to be a ‘catechist to others,’ as San Lorenzo Ruiz was a catechist himself and because of him the Catholic Bishop of the Philippines declared September a catechetical month. There were more than 500 people who celebrated the event.

It started with a procession outside the church while reciting the rosary led by 2000 Hail Marys Prayer Group, followed by the different parishes and religious organizations and ministries of San Fernando Region. Preceding the Mass inside the church, was the welcoming remarks of the Overall Chair Ben Aranda, followed by a liturgical dance by Dancers for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, then the monologue of the life of San Lorenzo Ruiz by Jose “Jeion” Aquino and the prayer to San Lorenzo Ruiz by Asuncion Lim.

At the end of the Mass, Fr. Rodel extended his appreciation

to the Incarnation Church (INCA) Altar Society, Altar Servers, Art & Environment Ministry, Greeters-Ushers, Lectors-Readers, Eucharistic Ministers, Media & Technology Ministry, Musicians, and Sacristans. In addition, the twelve (12) parishes that hosted the Novena of Masses from September 15 to September 23, 2022. Knights of Columbus Cardinal McIntyre Assembly 65 4th Degree/Color Corps, Knights of Columbus Councils and other 4th Degree Assemblies, representatives from all parishes and various religious organizations especially the banner bearers and the participants who braved the hot sun during the procession, the overflowing generosity of the basket offerors for the poor, Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Leadership Council, the Media Organizations: Angelus, Asian Journal, Philippine Post, California Journal for Filipino-Americans, San Fernando Region Churches

parish bulletins and the Archdiocese Media department. He also appreciated the various volunteer performers in the Fellowship Program and Entertainment. And finally, the Sponsors, Donors, and Supporters of 14th Regional Celebration of San Lorenzo Ruiz De Manila Digital Souvenir Program, without which all of these would not have been possible.

The attendees enjoyed sumptuous lunch, free raffle of gift cards and fabulous entertainment reminiscent of fiestas back home in the Philippines: music by Rondalla Club of Los Angeles, Philippine folk dances – Wasiwas and Bulaklakan by the Dancers for Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Hula dances choreographed by Mrs. Edna Sales, modern dances by Incarnation youth and young adults and more music and songs by Incarnation adult choir, Incarnation children’s choir, Incarnation iBand and Incarnation youth quintet violinists.

The San Fernando Region San Lorenzo Ruiz Committees and Volunteers were composed of Incarnation FilAm Community of Ministries (led by its President - Ben Aranda and co-leaders: Gretchen Picazo, Rose Lim, and May Mallari), and the Filipino leadership from the various parishes headed by Arnel Bailon - San Fernando Region Coordinator of the Filipino Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Photos courtesy of Lynne Lamiel.

Notes: If space permits, kindly include any or all of the photos

Divorce mediation as an option prior to pursuing litigation

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.

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

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 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

Continued on Page 12

Bankruptcy or debt settlement?

Minding Your Finances

Atty rAymond BUlAon

MOST people are unaware that credit card companies will negotiate with you if they believe that it is in their best interest to do so. Many times, you can negotiate a reduction of your interest rate, elimination of late charges and annual membership fees. If you are delinquent in payments, they may even agree to settle for less than the full amount of your debt. The fact that the account is already in collections, a lawsuit has been filed or even if a judgment has been obtained doesn’t even matter. If a debt

collector tells you that it is “their policy not to settle debts”, don’t believe it.

For example, a recent study revealed that over half of credit cardholders who called and complained about their interest rates got an interest rate cut, resulting in as much as a 33% reduction. Now, why would the credit card companies do this?

Well, you have to understand that the credit card companies are in a very competitive market. These companies know that it always costs more to obtain a new client than to keep a current one. Thus, if you have been paying on time, you are in a good bargaining position to re-negotiate the terms of your contract.

But what if you are behind in payments and can no longer pay the amount owed? This is where debt settlement may be a good idea especially if you

are trying to avoid filing for bankruptcy. This doesn’t work in all situations but there are certainly a lot of scenarios where bankruptcy may be avoided, and debts can be settled using the least amount of money possible. It is a known fact in the collection business that as time goes on, the ability to collect on a debt diminishes. Thus, the longer your accounts have been in collections, the better your chance of settling your debts for a significantly reduced amount.

For example, it is my experience that creditors will settle for about 30-60 cents on the dollar.

What debts can be negotiated? Actually, debt settlement is possible not only for credit cards, but for almost all types of debts. The list includes medical bills, bounced checks, personal

attached with the following caption:

• Delegation from different parishes and religious organizations assemble for San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila procession.

• Fr. Rodel Balagtas with Knights of Columbus Incarnation Council 17904.

• Jose “Jeion” Aquino portraying San Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila.

• Liturgical movements by Dancers for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

• Bishop Roberto Mallari and other priests/concelebrants from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and visiting priests from the Philippines.

• Bishop Roberto Mallari of the Diocese of Nueva Ecija, Philippines was the principal celebrant.

Action-comedy film ‘Lumpia...

who are targeted for mockery by thugs. To defend themselves from these thugs, they rely on the protection of a hero named the Silent Avenger, whose powers come from lumpia.

Ginelsa recalled that the first film became a surprise hit and received positive reviews. After 17 years, a sequel of the indie classic was made featuring a new egg rolls-armed hero, dressed in a Philippine national costume Barong Tagalog, called Lumpia man.

“It was during the 10th year anniversary of the first sequel ‘Lumpia’ in 2013 that we decided to crowdfund the sequel to see if there is still an appetite for it,” Ginelsa said. “Lo and behold, we were able to raise $50,000 with over 800 backers.”

The director is also an associate producer of the award-winning film “The Debut” released in 2000.

In the latest crowdfunded action comedy, the lumpia-slinging hero returns to Fogtown, America’s version of Manila. Much like how Metropolis and Gotham City are comic book counterparts to New York City, Fogtown is inspired by the director’s hometown of Daly City in California, whose ethnic make-up is mostly Filipino.

This new sequel’s plot now features a female lead, teenager Rachel, a maid of honor at her own parents’ wedding, who finds herself tangled up with a crime syndicate selling drugs masked as food. She teams up with Lumpia Man (also known as Kuya) to prevent a mysterious crime boss from destroying her town, and her parents’ dream wedding.

Though “Lumpia with a Vengeance” took about a long seven years to finish, it made history at the fully-packed San Diego ComicCon (SDCC), the world’s foremost pop culture event, last July when it was overwhelmingly received by over 400 attendees at its panel.

And after making its World Premiere at the 40th edition of the Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF), “Lumpia with a Vengeance” has coveted HIFF’s Audience Award for Best Narrative.

Filmed primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, the special effects-laden action comedy stars Mark Munoz (former UFC champion), April Absynth (STARZ Blindspotting”, Katrina Dimaranan (Miss Philippines Universe Tourism 2021), Darion Basco (“The Debut”), Danny Trejo (“Machete”), Earl Baylon (Netflix “Tomb Raider”), and a talented ensemble including the original film’s cast, Francis Custodio and Edward Baon.

“We utilized our network to include as many notable Fil-Am stars and professionals in front of and behind the camera as a way to showcase the force of talent in our community. So, we used that same playbook when crafting ‘Lumpia with a Vengeance,’ a crazy comic book action comedy starring a kick-ass Fil-Am role model as its action lead. It has all the potential ingredients needed to capture a universal audience while being an empowering experience for those who want to see more people that look like them in the lead roles,” Ginelsa said.

He likewise noted the bayanihan spirit that

supporters made through in-kind donations or even through donating their talent in front of the camera as background actors or behind the scenes as production assistants or even post-production VFX (visual special effects) artists.

“I’d like to think we captured that genuine, risky, independent spirit of filmmaking. Despite all the challenges and financial hardships, we would always circle back and rely on our backers to motivate us and push us through the finish line. So here we are, ready to showcase and represent our delicious film! It took longer than what we anticipated, but we felt a huge responsibility to deliver a feature film that was worthy of their support,” he said.

He added, “From the very night it was kickstarted, ‘Lumpia with a Vengeance’ was established as a fun platform from which the community could contribute to, learn from, and play in. And ultimately, it all came together because we believed in what we were doing, knowing we had an eager audience waiting for it to come out.”

According to Ginelsa, “Lumpia with a Vengeance” may be an action comedy on the surface, but at heart, it’s a community film developed, funded, and starring the community. And it makes use of the one iconic food that defines our community - LUMPIA!”

The film is also co-produced by A.J. Calomay, Lawrence Iriarte, Lisa Chong, Jeff Lam and Rey Cuerdo.

As for what’s next for the ‘Lumpia’ series, Ginelsa said there could be another film, but it will depend on the audience’s response.

“Again, I wanna throw it back to the community, if they want to see [the third movie] quicker. I already have a cool story I wanna tell. The Part 3 has to be bigger than Part 2. It has to be bigger in terms scope and in terms budget,” he said.

Moreover, the film has spun off its own comic book series, also crowdfunded by its supporters.

Ginelsa, who has a lifelong obsession for comic books, said the “Lumpia with a Vengeance” comic books published independently by Kid Heroes Productions have allowed the creators to expand upon the movie’s story and universe with art by the same artists and illustrators that have contributed to the actual movie.

“The variant covers and contributions from legendary creators such as Whilce Portacio (X-Men, Wetworks) and other upcoming artists have resulted in limited editions provided with every screening,” he added.

The movie is tentatively scheduled to be shown in select theatres nationwide on Oct. 7 (New York, Queens, Dublin, Fairfield, Los Angeles, North Hollywood and Cerritos); Oct 14 (Las Vegas, Jacksonville, Eugene, Seattle, Washington DC, Lansing, Honolulu, Pearl City, Kapolei, Chicago, Irvine, Riverside, Virginia Beach, Boston, West Covina, Sacramento, Oceanside; October 21 (New Orleans, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Anchorage, Stockton, Ontario, Tampa, Guam, Houston).

box office are

ticketing and theater

Bishop Roberto Mallari with priests concelebrants

Delegations from different parishes and religious organizations assemble for San Lorenzo Ruiz procession

Bishop Roberto Mallari, Principal Celebrant

Fr. Rodel Balagtas with Incarnation Church Knights of Columbus Council

Jose (Jeion) Aquino portrayed San Lorenzo Ruiz

Liturgical Dancers for Jesus Mary and Joseph

Buying real estate is still a good investment

By RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

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 CaliforniaNevada 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 fullservice company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805-559-2476 and 702-538-4948 for more information, or send me an email at fely@ precious-properties.com or fely.precious@ gmail.com. We have investors who buy houses in California and Nevada for cash and quick escrow in as short as 7 days.

(Advertising Supplement)

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

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

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

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

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman helps those who need

financing, including

In the nick of time: young Filipino designer Chris Nick debuts at LA Fashion Week

THE Philippines’ fastest-rising young designer, Chris Nick, has arrived in Los Angeles, and is debuting in one of the world’s biggest fashion events, the LA Fashion Week (LAFW) Spring Summer 2023, on October 7, Friday.

The show will be held in Los Angeles’ first experiential entertainment complex, the Lighthouse Immersive LA (located in 6400 Sunset Boulevard) for the first time in LAFW history.

The Asian Journal Media Group, Techedge Solutions, and Montemaria Cellars are the event’s major presenters. TechEdge will broadcast the presentation live to a global audience via a cutting-edge live streaming service.

Pinoy pride at LAFW Chris Nick is renowned as the young designer whose creations appeared on the covers of 11 major Philippine magazines in just his first year of the fashion industry in 2019.

The newest achievement in his resume is that his creation was chosen to grace the cover of this year’s inaugural issue of Vogue Philippines.

Chris, the favorite designer of numerous Filipino celebrities, is known for his sleek designs and very sophisticated silhouettes. This young designer has a distinct sense of style that’s difficult to miss, favoring romantic silhouettes, a

palette of jet black, and everything Parisian and Old Hollywood-inspired.

For Chris, fancy colors are unnecessary. The simplicity of his designs doesn’t take away from the power and confidence a woman will exude once she wears a Chris Nick ensemble.

The Asian Journal editorial team caught up with Chris a day after he arrived in LA. In the interview that follows, Chris discusses his sense of style in terms of design and how he feels about being part of one of the world’s major fashion weeks.

You are debuting at LA Fashion Week. How does it feel?

My God, it feels so crazy! And I’m just super blessed. ‘Coz you know I’ve been here for a little less than three years. And everything’s been happening so quickly. It feels amazing.

How would you describe yourself as a fashion designer?

As a fashion designer, I’m a firm believer of understated elegance. When I design, I have this ideal world, and this fantasy, that I have in my head which I want to become a reality. And when I design, I design for myself if I were a woman. Something like that.

How would you describe your creative process?

My creative process? Well, I’m a big fan of Old Hollywood. And I’m also a big fan of Studio 54. So it’s me: merging the two together. It’s very sensual yet, at the same time, very elegant. I like to merge the two: elegance and sensuality.

Let’s talk about your Spring/Summer 2023 Collection. What is your inspiration behind this collection?

“Nineties Minimalism” and “Grunge”: lots of low-waist, and lots of very simple looks. And reinventing the Filipiniana, and how it’s worn. When the youth thinks of the Filipiniana, it’s usually as a costume. I want to change that. You should be able to wear Filipiniana for fun. It doesn’t always have to be so serious. I also love to tailor. I’m a big fan of tailoring.

Do you have any particular idol or role model in fashion?

I’m a big fan of Tom Ford and Yves Saint Laurent: very sensual, classic, tailored, sexy. When I design, my designs reflect me as a person: a bridge of both feminine and masculine elements.

You’ve been in fashion for just a couple of years. Tell us how you entered the industry.

I just graduated! It all started when I got invited to the Panasonic Fashion Festival (in Manila) to do a show. Back then, I didn’t have an Instagram account. I didn’t have a studio. I didn’t have a staff. Joining the show was purely just for fun. But one thing led to another. And here we are now.

Chris Nick’s show is scheduled to start at noon, October 7. On the same day two other prominent Filipino designers, will present their most recent creations: Francis Libiran (4:00 p.m.) and Avel Bacudio (5:00 p.m.).

Divorce mediation as an option...

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.

* * *

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related

to the topic discussed.  The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APC.  This article is not a solicitation.

*

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

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, 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.

Rewriting your own story

“A useless life is an early death.” —Goethe

IF you’ve been given the chance to restart a new life after you’ve gone through some life-changing, miraculous experience, such as surviving a horrific accident when everyone else perished, or finding yourself inexplicably healed from a deadly disease, then you’ll know what it feels to be given a reprieve, a fresh slate, a clean paper, what the Greeks call a tabula rasa, on which you can start begin writing your new story. Or if you use a computer, click on a new blank document and chase the cursor.

How does one use this new lease on life?

Most people lucky enough to be given a second chance, will quickly realize that this new lease can just be an extra few months or years, and in the most blessed scenarios, a decade or two. Each day beyond that critical turning point is a bonus, every single moment, a gift. Sometimes, God mercifully knocks some sense into us through drastic means by throwing us a curve ball to bring us down on our knees so that we have no choice but to look above and beyond our own petty, selfish concerns and total self-involvement in order to grasp the concept of our own mortality and to know that we are here for a purpose.

We’re not here to merely consume resources or take up space. Consider the fearsome dinosaurs. Grazing the earth for millions of years, that is essentially what they did — consumed resources and took up space. Not by intelligence but by sheer size and numbers, they had dominion over all other species for millions of years, until one day, as scientists try to explain their extinction, a rogue asteroid about 7 miles long, possibly got unhinged off its orbit in the asteroid belt, hit the earth with such impact, setting off a series of volcanic eruptions that covered the atmosphere with

ash far above the stratosphere, so that sunlight could not penetrate through the haze for years, killing off the plant life, upsetting and destroying the food chain balance and effectively starving and wiping the dinosaurs off the face of the earth 65 million years ago.

Here is earth’s tabula rasa story — starting on a clean slate, a new lease on life. When the reptiles died, mammals, of which we are classified under, began their ascent. Human beings with purpose came to be.

Yet each man’s purpose is nebulous and not always obvious. Purpose does not come as clear as the light of day. We have to seek it out. Either by choice or circumstance, some exceptional ones find their purpose early enough and proceed to fulfill it. But the great majority of people on the bell curve don’t have the nose to sense their true north.

Most of us of the garden variety meander about our lives trying different things until we finally stumble upon it by trial and error. The annals of history are rife with such stories.

St. Paul, almost single handedly nourished the beginnings of the early Christian church through his numerous travels. But he didn’t start out that way. He was just as passionate about persecuting Christians before he was tapped from above to do a complete conversion.

Edwin Hubble, the great astronomer who lived in the nineteen twenties and for whom the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is named for his outstanding achievements in expanding our view of the universe, tried different things before finding out what he was meant to do. In college, he played championship basketball and even tried boxing. After fighting in World War I, he studied law, tried lawyering for a year and obviously didn’t like it.

Something must have happened because he went back to college to study

astronomy and finally found his footing and his purpose in life. That’s what most of us do. We try different lives until we find the one that matches heaven’s purpose. Just don’t run out of time. No one wants to leave with unfinished business.

If our stations in life allow us the luxury of choice, then more than likely, we will be meandering too and trying different things before coming on board to the ship that will likely bring us to the port of our purpose.

Try reading all or portions of Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life” written a few years back. Warren is the pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California. His book continues to be received widely for its clear, well-structured and succinct explanation of what living with purpose means. True, its skewed towards his ministry but there are valuable truths about purpose and meaning to be gleaned by both the secular and spiritual, particularly in the early parts of the book.

We don’t really have to wait for something dramatic, traumatic or tragic to happen to get us on track to finding that purpose. But do go to the right source. Nix the harebrained ideas coming from most of the media about what that purpose might be. When it comes to things that matter, most of the mainstream media has proven itself to be unworthy of trust.

It pushes its own agenda of power that comes from profit. Tune out of the external world and go deep within. If you pray hard enough and long enough and live in the silence for a little while, chances are, you’ll find it. You can then begin rewriting your own story on a a new document page.

Bankruptcy or debt...

loans, department store cards, auto repossession deficiencies, etc.

Debt settlement works best in situations where the debtor has the ability to produce enough cash to settle for 30-60% of the amount owed. The reason is that creditors are often only willing to settle for less than full amount only if you pay them in a lump sum as opposed to paying in installments. If you are a homeowner, you may be able to refinance and use your home equity for debt settlement. If you do not own a home, perhaps you can sell personal property that you don’t need, borrow cash from a relative or maybe take money out of your 401K plan. If, on the other hand, you don’t have a lot of cash available, do not lose hope. So long as you are employed or have some source of income, creditors may still agree to monthly payments over a period of time.

Filing bankruptcy may make more sense than debt settlement in certain situations especially where property is exempt and beyond the reach of the bankruptcy trustee and creditors. If you are

eligible, Chapter 7 bankruptcy allows you to wipe out debts you can no longer afford to pay so that you can start fresh immediately. Chapter 13 allows you to consolidate debts into one affordable monthly payment, so you are not stressing out every month with not having enough income to pay living expenses and debts at the same time. Debt settlement, Chapter 7 or Chapter 13These are your usual options in dealing with debt problems. If you are currently in financial hot water and don’t know what to do, seek legal help and find out what is appropriate for your situation. For more information and to schedule a free consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772.

San Fernando Valley Golf  Club Golf Tournament. Girl’s Champion - Ms. Anna Nabong

San Fernando Valley Golf Tournament 2022 closest to the pin winners. Congratulations to Mr. Ely de Guzman (hole no. 6) and Mr. Jayar Brilliantes (hole no. 8).

San Fernando Valley Golf Club in participation with L.A. Brilliant Lions Golf Club Tournament 2022 held in Knolwood Country Club, California on September 11, 2022.

Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya writes for Asian Journal. Email monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com for comments.

Young designer Chris Nick favors a palette of jet black, and everything Parisian and Old Hollywood-inspired.

Photo courtesy of Chris Nick’s website

Chris Nick: the Philippines’ fastest-rising young designer gets invited to LA Fashion Week.

Chris Nick is known for his sleek and very sophisticated designs.

The newest achievement in Chris Nick’s resume is that his creation was chosen to grace the cover of this year’s inaugural issue of Vogue Philippines. Photo courtesy of Vogue