100623 - New York & New Jersey Edition

Percy Lapid memorial service...

Rappler have documented the deaths of 198 journalists in the country since 1986, all targeted due to their commitment to their profession. Notably, during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s presidency, 103 journalists lost their lives, with 32 of them falling victim to the Maguindanao massacre. Under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, three journalists, including Percy Lapid, were killed.

Fearing for their lives after receiving threats, Percy Lapid’s 14-member family sought refuge in the United States, believing that the current Philippine administration couldn’t ensure their safety.

In a memorial service on Sunday, October 1, Percy Lapid’s friends and supporters gathered in Los Angeles and New York to commemorate his life and his stance against injustice and corruption.

Among those in attendance in New York were notable personalities such as Maria Ressa, Sheila Coronel, Noel Pangilinan, Loida Nicolas Lewis, Liza and Mark Mabasa, Percy’s widow and son.

Mark Mabasa, in a poignant speech, shared updates on his father’s case and decried the indiscriminate killings that seem to hold no value for human life, especially among journalists dedicated to informing the public.

“Aminin man natin o hindi, kumibo man tayo o hindi, hindi natin maitatanggi ang kaliwa’t kanan at walang habas na pagpaslang na tila wala ng halaga ang buhay ng tao, lalo na sa mga mamamahayag na ang ginagawa lamang ay maipaabot sa ating mga mamamayan at mamulat sa katotohanan buhat pa ng nakaraang administrasyon,” he said. (Whether we admit it or not. Whether we move or not. We cannot deny the left and right and indiscriminate killings that seem to have no value to human life, especially to journalists who are only doing things to reach our people and make them aware of the truth since the previous administration.)

Columbia University’s School of Journalism professor Sheila Coronel echoed this sentiment,

White House honors Fil-Ams in...

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hope, opportunity, and optimism,” the White House added.

Meanwhile, Biden took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say he and First Lady Jill Biden are “thrilled” to celebrate the month, which honors “the rich heritage and traditions of millions of Filipino Americans.”

“To our Filipino American community: Thank you for all you do to ensure our nation continues to be the land of opportunity,” the president said.

Meanwhile, Harris remarked that the community contributes “contribute to our nation’s success every single day.”

The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California, according to the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS).

October 1992 was the month dedicated to Filipino Americans and celebrated in the United States, a year after FANHS passed a proclamation.

In 2009, U.S. Congress declared October as Filipino American History Month, and in 2015, then-President Barack Obama celebrated the first FAHM at the White House.

For 2023, FANHS shared this year’s theme as “1898: Recognizing 125 years of Philippine-American History,” marking

the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris agreement between Spain and the United States that ended the Spanish American War and led to the U.S. annexation of the Philippines.

“As a result of the Treaty of Paris, Filipino people gained access to the U.S. during an era when other Asian countries were prohibited from doing so,” FANHS wrote.

Through the treaty, Filipino migrants were considered U.S. nationals until 1965 and could migrate to the U.S. and its territories without restrictions. With this, many Filipinos contributed to the agricultural labor force in Hawaii and the west coast of the U.S.

The Pensionado Act of 1903 paved the way for Filipino students to attend U.S. universities until 1943, while American curricula and educational systems were introduced to the Philippines, FAHNS shared. This resulted in English proficiency and the recruitment of Filipino nurses, teachers and other professionals to the U.S.

“The year 1898 also marks an important year in Philippine history. After centuries of Filipinos fighting against Spanish colonizers – with the most successful uprising being the Philippine Revolution (1896-1898) –the people of the Philippines declared their independence on June 12, 1898,” according to FAHNS.

Throughout October, areas across the U.S. proclaim their own recognitions of the month, host celebrations and festivals, and other activities to highlight the community’s contributions to the country’s history. n

saying that the culture of impunity runs deep in the Philippines, citing the names of some journalists who were killed in the line of duty.

“Impunity is so deeply embedded in the Philippines. We must think that we build democracy and democratic institutions, brick by brick, case by case,” Coronel said.

“The obstacles to justice are formidable, but we have a few victories - Ampatuan; half victories - Marlene Esperat, Edgar Damalerio, even if they’re incomplete, they show that impunity need not be the norm. Justice is attainable if we fight for it.”

Something that Nobel Prize winner Maria Ressa agreed with, and promised the Mabasa family support in fighting for justice.

“Marlene Esperat is a name our generation of journalists won’t forget. We will help make Percy Lapid, Percy Mabasa, a name just this generation won’t forget,” Ressa said.

As Mark reflected on his father as a devoted family man, husband, and father of six, he expressed deep sorrow that Percy’s cherished profession and beloved homeland became

the very reason for his tragic demise. He talked about some of the lessons his father taught them.

“Sa iniwang aral ng aming ama, “Ang pagsasabi ng katotohanan ay hindi itinuturing na katapangan, kung hindi obligasyon ng bawat isa sa atin” at sa aming puso, alam namin na nagawa nya ang tungkulin niya sa bayan,” the young Mabasa said, controlling his emotions. (The lesson left by our father, “Telling the truth is not considered courage, it is the obligation of each of us” and in our hearts, we know that he has done his duty to his country.)

“Kapag nakikita mong mali, dapat sitahin mo, hindi para pulaan kung hindi para magkaroon pa ng pagkakataon na maitama ito,” he recounted, echoing his father’s core belief that had driven him throughout his career. (When you see something wrong you should point it out not to criticize but to have a chance to correct it.)

He also shared that his uncle Roy Mabasa had a meeting with the United States Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay

Two Fil-Am execs among Outstanding 50...

in shaping the nation’s economic landscape.

Among the distinguished recipients of this year’s award are two Filipino Americans - Edwin Josue, a renowned New York-based realtor, and Edward F. Flores, who serves as a Senior Business Manager and Risk and governance Officer in the Chief Operating Officer office for the DWS Group.

Josue’s recognition signifies not only his personal triumph but also his outstanding contributions to the real estate industry. With a career spanning over two decades, Josue has facilitated transactions totaling nine figures, solidifying his reputation as a distinguished figure in the real estate arena.

When asked about the significance of this recognition, Josue shared, “Personally - it’s a fulfillment. I remember my parents saying my education is a treasure they can impart. Soar high, spread your wings, do your best and you will achieve your dream. I did it!”

This sentiment encapsulates

the ethos that has propelled Josue to where he is in his field.

Josue’s approach to real estate is characterized by a fundamental principle - the art of listening. By attentively understanding the needs of his clients, he provides tailored service marked by transparency, honesty, and trustworthiness.

“The key to my success as a real estate broker is I listen,” Josue told the Asian Journal. “I listen to the needs of my clients. Give personalized service and be honest, transparent, and trustworthy.”

Flores, on the other hand, is

In a solemn tribute in New York City, Percy Mabasa’s wife, Liza, and their son, Mark (4th and 3rd from left), joined the memorial service in New York. The event featured insightful discussions on critical topics including press freedom and democracy in the Philippines, with notable speakers (from left) Noel Pangilinan, Sheila Coronel, Maria Ressa, and Loida Nicolas Lewis. AJ Press Photos by Momar Visaya

Columbia University journalism professor Sheila Coronel shared the stories of slain journalists Marlene Esperat and Edgar Damalerio at a panel discussion with College of Mount Saint Vincent professor Noel Pangilinan and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa held during the New York City memorial service for Percy Lapid.

Edward Flores

Edwin Josue receives his award from John Wang of the Asian American Business Development Center Edwin Josue with

Filipino American SAG-AFTRA...

seasoned actor known for his role in ‘Man in the High Castle’, highlighted the urgency of regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in the industry. He stressed the importance of ensuring that AI technology respects the integrity of storytelling and emphasizes the value that real actors bring to productions.

Survey: Filipinos distrust China...

“clear violation of international law.”

The PCG last week cut off a portion of the barrier under the orders of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Commodore Jay Tarriela, spokesperson of the PCG for the West Philippine Sea, vowed to remove any future obstruction that may hinder fisherfolk from earning a living.

“In the coming months, if ever that barrier will once again be in place, the PCG will do whatever it takes for us to remove the barrier,” Tarriela told reporters.

The Philippines is also accusing Chinese maritime militia vessels of massive coral harvesting that left patches of bleached and destructed corals along Rozul (Iroquios) Reef and Sabina (Escoda) Shoal, both part of Manila’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“We noticed coral harvesting in their swarming areas. When they left, we pinpointed it and sent divers to do an underwater survey; they saw that no corals were left – it was damaged, and there was debris,” Vice Admiral Albert Carlos, head of the Western Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said in a news forum on Septepmber 17. “[Whether] the damage is old or new, but from the eyes of the Navy divers, it looks recent.”

China’s billion-dollar disinformation campaign has been warned by the U.S. State Department to challenge the “integrity of the global information space.”

“When you look at the pieces of the puzzle and you put it together, you see a breathtaking ambition on the part of China to seek information dominance in key regions of the world,” James Rubin, the State Department’s Global Engagement Center special envoy and coordinator, told reporters on September 28.

“If we don’t allow this information manipulation to be stopped, there’s going to be a slow, steady destruction of democratic values. We don’t want to see an Orwellian mix of fact and fiction in our world,” he added.

National Security Council Assistant Secretary and spokesperson Jonathan Malaya previously divulged China’s “psychological warfare” to weaken the Philippines’s standing on the West Philippine Sea by deploying “political operators” engaged in propaganda. He added China is taking advantage of the political divisiveness engulfing Filipinos.

Headlines of China’s provocation caused Filipinos to sour on the world’s second superpower, Oculum chief political analyst Dennis Coronacion said.

“Several incidents of harassment committed against the Philippine Coast Guard and the Filipino fishermen by the Chinese Coast Guard in the disputed waters have

always resulted in negative public perception toward China,” Coronacion, a political science professor at the University of Santo Tomas, said in a release. “Past and present surveys indicate that the Filipinos have felt strongly about this geopolitical issue.”

In the July 2022 poll conducted by Pulse Asia, 36% of Filipinos are wary of China compared to 33% who registered their trust. Russia and India also notched high disapprovals, at 36% and 32%, respectively.

Three years earlier, a Social Weather Stations survey classified China’s approval rating as “bad,” plunging to a -33 score amid warmer relations between the two countries at the time.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Manny Mogato said that despite former president Rodrigo Duterte cozying up with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Beijing’s persistent bullying already left an indelible mark on the Filipino consciousness.

“Even during the six-year term of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who was considered the most popular leader in power, he failed to influence Filipinos to raise trust ratings in China,” he said in a release.

“Duterte did not hide the fact that he was an avid fan of China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and he had tried to bring the country closer to Beijing and Moscow and, at the same time, distance from its traditional security ally, the United States.”

Mogato added that Filipinos’ inclination to democracy, freedom and the rule of law made them more trustful to Western countries such as the United States and Canada.

China has refused to recognize the 2016 ruling of the Permanent Court of Arbitration adjudicating that the nine-dash line on Beijing maps violated Manila’s 200-nautical mile EEZ.

Recently, the Chinese Foreign Ministry warned the Philippines not to make any provocations anymore.

The Oculum survey obtained responses from 1,200 Filipinos nationwide, randomly selected through a computer-assisted tool. It has a ± 3-percent margin of error at the national level.

Other people behind Oculum include chief statistician Joseph Mercado, former vice president for research, extension, planning and development at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines; project manager Romero Lopez, associate editor at PressONE; and oversight board members Msgr. Pedro

“It’s existential, we’re fighting for our lives. And we’re fighting for the integrity because it’s not just that actors will disappear. It shows that there is a lack of understanding of what we do,” Dela Fuente told the Asian Journal

Ivory Jeans Aquino, a member of SAG-AFTRA for over 15 years, shared her thoughts on the ongoing rally, emphasizing the importance of unity within the community. She expressed her optimism about the progress made in negotiations, particularly regarding fair wages and compensation for actors.

“It’s about showing up making my voice heard because it’s like in a democracy, one person gets to vote. And then essentially, if it shows that any one person matters, and so it trickles out, we all matter collectively, the community matters and that’s what we’re here to stand for,” she said.

One crucial issue raised during the rally was the emergence of AI in the industry. Aquino shed light on the producers’ proposal to utilize actors’ likeness perpetually, which raised concerns about fair compensation for background actors. She also expressed the need for reasonable auditioning practices that take into consideration actors’ schedules and commitments.

“One point that was really not fair, period, is the producers were wanting

to have background actors come in for one session... and own it for perpetuity, and pay them once, use it over and over,” Aquino lamented.

Another critical issue discussed was the need for fair compensation in the face of the evolving landscape of streaming platforms.

Dela Fuente pointed out the inherent disparities within the industry, emphasizing that actors are essential to interpreting the human condition and conveying stories in a unique and authentic manner.

“People are being enriched in these corporations that produce our work. That’s all I can really say. They can make arguments that say that they’re not making any money but you can see that the individual bonuses that were given out and you see what we’re being paid, because somebody’s making money off of our work,” he

shared.

Dela Fuente is a principal cast member of the show “Man in the High Castle,” one of the most widelystreamed shows on Prime Video. It received positive reviews for its thoughtprovoking premise, strong performances, and high production values. He played the character Chief Inspector Takeshi Kido, a high-ranking officer in the Japanese Pacific States’ Kempeitai, known for his complex and morally ambiguous character arc. Reflecting on his experience with the highlystreamed show, Dela Fuente candidly shared that the residuals received are minimal, considering the show’s popularity and impact on Amazon’s streaming platform. He underscored the need for more equitable compensation for artists whose work fuels corporations.

The rallying cry for industry reforms reverberated further as attendees discussed the potential ramifications of failing to address these crucial issues. The work stoppage caused by strikes not only impacts the actors but has a ripple effect, affecting numerous ancillary businesses associated with productions.

Dela Fuente shared insights into the economic repercussions of the strike, saying, “Imagine the cost and

Among those who attended the AAPI solidarity rally were Filipino American SAGAFTRA members Ivory Aquino, Sibyl Santiago, Sorika Wolf, Joel dela Fuente, among others. AJPress photos by Momar G. Visaya

Ivory Jeans Aquino, known for portraying transgender activist Cecilia Ching in the 2017 series When We Rise and was cast as a principal cast of the unreleased superhero film Batgirl.

Ronny Chieng, actor, comedian and senior correspondent on Comedy Central’s The Daily Show

Playwright Kristine Reyes Sibyl Santiago

Quitorio III, director of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines media office; and Felipe Salvosa II, editor at the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism. (Philstar. com) n

RAISING BREAST CANCER AWARENESS. Mall-goers admire the artworks on display in an exhibit held by the Kasuso Foundation, in partnership with Araneta City as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month at the Gateway Mall Activity Area in Quezon City on Tuesday, October 3. This year’s observance is themed, “Let’s Bridge the Breast Cancer Care Gap: Fair and Square,” and is aimed at raising funds and awareness for breast cancer education and support. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Features OpiniOn Regulate secret funds

In handling massive amounts of public funds, the less personal discretion is entrusted to public officials, the better for good governance. This principle partly underpinned the decision of the Supreme Court to abolish the congressional pork barrel. Now it turns out that lawmakers aren’t the only ones enjoying control over billions in discretionary funds.

Amid scrutiny of huge amounts of confidential funds allocated to Sara Duterte as Vice President and during her six years as Davao City mayor, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has explained that local government units are allowed by law to have secret funds for dealing with peace and order problems in their communities. DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos, himself a former mayor, said the allocation of confidential funds to LGUs “is just fine… as long as it is not abused.”

Editorial

people’s money are relaxed. And they are most relaxed in the case of confidential and intelligence funds or CIF.

Little wonder that dynastybuilding is shamelessly out of control, and murder is rampant in local politics.

And there lies the rub, in this land of endemic corruption, where many politicians along with their extended families and business cronies treat public coffers as their personal piggybanks. This is done easily when the requirements for transparency and public accountability in the utilization of

CIF allocation requests are rising exponentially each year in the executive branch. Taxpayers won’t begrudge security and certain civilian agencies secret funds. People won’t mind realigning billions in confidential funds to agencies that are clearly in dire need of greater funding, such as the Philippine Coast Guard.

The PCG received a total of P118.7 million in confidential funds in the past 17 years. Compare this with the P125 million in confidential funds that the Office of the Vice President received in the final months of 2022,

and spent in December. Whether it was spent within 19 days, as Vice President Duterte maintains, or just 11 days, as Marikina Rep. Stella Quimbo has said, the allocation still speaks volumes about the spending priorities under the current administration.

The P125 million pales in comparison to the even larger secret funds allocated to Davao City when Sara Duterte was the mayor. Annual audit reports on the city conducted by the Commission on Audit showed that the city government incurred a whopping P2.697 billion in confidential expenses from 2016 to 2022, surging from P144 million in

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

WHEN President Marcos received confirmation from National Security Adviser Secretary Eduardo Año that indeed, the Chinese Coast Guard had installed a floating rope and net barrier at the Bajo de Masinloc,

also known as Scarborough Shoal, without hesitation the president decisively gave instructions to dismantle the barrier. Secretary Año is chair of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea, and he was more than happy to immediately order the Philippine Coast Guard to conduct a special operation implementing the president’s directive.

Aside from posing a hazard to navigation, the 300-meter-long floating barrier that obstructed the southeast entrance of Bajo de Masinloc was also preventing fisherfolk from conducting activities in an area that the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration arbitral ruling declared as traditional fishing ground of Filipino fishermen.

News of the decisive

action taken by the president reverberated well not only among Filipinos but the international community as well. The president made it very clear when he said during a news briefing the other day, “We are not looking for trouble, but we will continue to defend the maritime territory of the Philippines and the rights of

2016 to P460 million annually from 2019 to 2022. Davao’s confidential spending was greater than those of larger or wealthier cities including Cebu, Quezon City, Manila and Makati.

There are state security agencies specifically tasked to maintain peace and order and protect the citizenry. Why should more tax money be allocated outside these agencies for the same purpose, and with politicians given wide berth to spend huge amounts as they please? It’s time to put discretionary funds under tighter rein. (Philstar.com)

The views expressed by our Op-Ed contributors are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the predilection of the editorial board and staff of Asian Journal.

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Babe’s Eye View

BaBe Romualdez

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Photo from the Philippine Coast Guard shows one of its divers cutting the rope of the floating barrier at Panatag Shoal. Contributed photo

Dateline PhiliPPines

US to ‘invoke’ defense pact in attack...

criticisms of the U.S.’s commitment to the Philippines.

“Is the U.S. prepared to back up its Mutual Defense Treaty with military force? And what message would it send to other countries in the region if the U.S. doesn’t respond forcefully enough to an event that triggers that treaty?” the U.S. lawmaker asked.

In response, Ford noted the “credibility” of Washington’s military partnership with Manila, which she described as “a bedrock part” of the U.S.’ security in the Indo-Pacific and globally.

UN: Remove all barriers to right to information

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — The United Nations has called on governments to remove all barriers to the right to information, which it described as “the oxygen” that would make democracy and development flourish.

Many states have reportedly adopted laws on access to information, with some even recognizing access to the internet as a legal right, but these laws are often not implemented effectively, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Irene Khan revealed.

She noted that various tactics are used to restrict or deny access to information, both online and offline, to investigative journalists, human rights defenders and other civil society representatives.

Khan reported that over the past five years, governments in more than 74 countries have shut down or slowed down the internet or blocked mobile communications for intermittent or prolonged periods.

These measures affected access to information and disrupted health, education and other essential services.

“Information, freedom of expression and active participation, online and offline, of youth, civil society and independent media are vital, whether to tackle global challenges, such as climate change and pandemics or to break age-old patterns of discrimination, exclusion and violence,” she said.

In the Philippines, the passage of a Freedom of Information Law is crucial for Filipinos to exercise their right to access government-held information.

Such a law will empower citizen participation in demanding for transparency and accountability from the government. All branches of the government will be mandated to disclose all documents as well as the procedures for accessing these documents.

Khan explained that access to information, whether online or off, enables people to be better informed and better equipped to participate in decision-making, to improve the quality and sustainability of development outcomes.

By empowering citizens, civil society and the media to hold governments and companies to account, she said it makes democracy more meaningful. n

Aside from securing the U.S. military foothold in the Philippines through the nine Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) sites across the country, Ford said Washington is also helping an American company operating in Subic in operating a shipyard it sees as a “critical strategic infrastructure.”

“The fact that U.S. companies are cooperating and helping to build jobs and make sure that that strategic area stays in friendly hands, I think, is incredibly important,” Ford added.

In the same congressional hearing, Vice Admiral Andrew Tiongson, U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area commander, said that the PCG has “our largest security sector assistance program with them.”

Tiongson responded to a comment by Kentucky Rep. Andy Barr about the lack of available assets by the PCG to defend itself.

“In fact, when you talk about assets, we, through the interagency partnerships, built an entire training center to help them with operations, as well as maintenance of the vessels that they do have,” Tiongson shared.

He said under the U.S. program, the PCG hopes to grow its personnel from “5,000 to their goal of about 35,000.”

He said the PCG was “still working on that, but they’re well into that right now. And we have assigned a maritime adviser to them to help along that growth projection.”

State Department’s Assistant Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Jung Pak also said “part of the State Department’s goals is to make sure that we’re consulting frequently and in-depth to talk about exactly what the Philippines needs.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo held a trilateral meeting in New York on September 22, when the three agreed to continue to call out behavior that is with international law, including China’s recent actions near Second Thomas Shoal that interfered with the Philippines’ lawful exercise of high seas freedom of navigation.

On September 6, U.S. Vice President

Kamala Harris, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met in Jakarta, Indonesia, where they discussed the maritime security environment in the South China Sea and East China Sea and reviewed ways in which their three countries could enhance trilateral maritime cooperation, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.

‘Moro-moro’

But while the U.S. has been supportive of the PCG and its activities in the South China Sea, the Asian Century Philippines Strategic Studies Institute (ACPSSI), a Manilabased think tank, has called for an investigation into the “moro-moro” instigated by the PCG when it claimed that it “successfully removed” the floating barrier installed by its Chinese counterparts at the entrance of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal).

In a media briefing on Saturday, September 30 in Quezon City, ACPSSI President Herman Tiu Laurel echoed the declaration by the China Coast Guard (CCG) that the claim by Commo. Jay Tarriela, PCG spokesman on the West Philippine Sea (WPS), was “fictitious” and “fabricated.”

A CCG spokesman said in a statement this week that the nets were deployed temporarily simply to prevent a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel from “illegally” entering the Huangyan Island, China’s name for Bajo de Masinloc, without authorization from the Chinese government and supposedly “stirred up trouble in a provocative manner.”

The spokesman said the CCG “took necessary measures in accordance with the law to effectively restrict the Philippine vessel, including calling and warning, route restrictions and temporarily setting blocking nets on the lagoon.”

The CCG presented images showing the BFAR ship being blocked by its vessels, the blocking nets it set and its recovery of the nets after.

Laurel said that, on the other hand, Commodore Tarriela announced to the public on September 25 through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the PCG has executed a special operation to remove the floating barrier that obstructed the Southeast entrance of Bajo De Masinloc in compliance with the instruction of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. upon the recommendation of the National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea (NTF-WPS).

He said the announcement was accompanied by videos and several photos of the operation.

The problem with Tarriela’s videos and photos was that they failed to show the entire length of the floating barrier and that the “so-called evidence was a 6-meter rope with a few floaters attached,” the ACPSSI president said.

“It should also be pointed out that the rusted anchor with a few meters of rope, which the PCG retrieved, could not be part of a floating barrier system that’s meant to be temporary,” he added.

Laurel also noted that based on the accounts of the CCG spokesman, the 300-meter floating barrier “was voluntarily removed” by the CCG on September 23 after they successfully prevented the BFAR vessel from entering the lagoon, and “normal control was restored” in the area.

The CCG photos showed the “long and bulky” floating barrier on the deck of one of its ships.

“Tarriela did not even attempt to present evidence of the 300-meter barrier the PCG says it had removed,” said Laurel.

Furthermore, he said the PCG official gave the date for the operation to remove the floating barrier as September 25.

“This could probably be the reason why Tarriela’s divers were unable to present any photos of the actual floating barrier that they supposedly removed since it was already taken away by the CCG two days before,” Laurel said.

“The moro-moro and subsequent loquacious bragging of Tarriela revealed certain truths: That the Philippine government, the [Department of Foreign Affairs] and the PCG have been lying about what is actually transpiring in the South China Sea for the past decade,” he added.

Laurel said this also confirms what he has been frequently pointing out in the past: that there is no harassment of Filipino fishermen by the CCG in the South China Sea.

“Fish sanctuaries, such as Bajo de Masinloc, are off limits to all fishermen, and because of the CCG, these sanctuaries in the South China Sea are guarded from illegal activities,” he said.

Laurel said the PCG does not have the capacity to enforce the protection of fish sanctuaries and yet “ignorantly demands fishermen should be allowed to pursue their activities in these portions of the sea to the possible detriment of the protected marine areas.”

‘Evidence’

The Manila-based think tank’s tirades come as the PCG admitted on Saturday that it could not remove the entire floating barrier installed by the CCG and that it was only its anchor that they could cut and retrieve.

Tarriela said the PCG will use the retrieved anchor as evidence should the Philippine government file charges against China for its activities in the West Philippine Sea.

The PCG and BFAR also encouraged Filipino fisherfolk to sail and catch

COFFEE TIME. Mark Adrian prepares coffee for his patrons at Brew Trip in V. Luna, Quezon City on Monday, October 2. The Philippines marked National Coffee Day on Sept. 29 while International Coffee Day was celebrated on Sunday, October 1, proof that the caffeinated beverage is one of the most consumed in the world, next to water. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Percy Lapid memorial service...

Carlson, and they talked about the unresolved nature of Percy’s case, emphasizing the critical need for media freedom and protection.

The ambassador took to X (formerly Twitter) to express her frustration, declaring, “Nearly one year later, Percy Lapid’s case remains UNRESOLVED. Journalists deserve to do their work free of violence, intimidation, and harassment.”

The discussion also focused on the state of press freedom in the Philippines, where journalists continue to face unprecedented threats and dangers.

Noel Pangilinan, a professor at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, cited reports that the Philippines ranks as the seventh most dangerous country for journalists globally, where 85 journalists have been killed with impunity between 1992 and 2021.

From September 2012 to August 2022, 14 cases of murdered journalists remained unsolved, leaving perpetrators free to roam.

Speaking from her experience as a journalist in the Philippines, Coronel talked about two high-profile cases, Marlene Esperat and Edgar Damalerio. Esperat was a chemist turned journalist, who dared to expose rampant corruption within the Department of Agriculture. Marlene’s investigation revealed that a staggering 60% of funds allocated to aid impoverished farmers were lining the pockets of unscrupulous officials.

Edgar Damalerio, a radio host and newspaper editor in Pagadian, faced a similar fate. His unrelenting pursuit of justice led him to uncover the embezzlement of substantial funds meant for a bridge project. This revelation enraged those in power, culminating in his targeted assassination in 2002.

Coronel underscored that achieving justice is a laborious process, often fraught with roadblocks. Even with public pressure, it took three years to apprehend Edgar Malaria’s

killer. In the infamous Ampatuan massacre case, where 32 journalists fell victim to a powerful political clan, justice took a staggering ten years to be served.

As the panel discussion concluded, Ressa posed a thought-provoking question to the audience, the same one she asks in her book ‘How to Stand Up to Dictators’.

“The question that I asked in the book is a simple one that I will ask every single person in this room. Simple question. What are you willing to sacrifice for the truth?” Ressa said. “Because ultimately, if we don’t have that, we have nothing.”

For his part, Mabasa concluded his talk by asking the audience to join their family in their quest for justice.

“Kung meron man kaming hihilingin sa inyo, iyon ay ang samahan kami sa laban na ito. Dahil alam natin na hindi magpapatuloy ang aksyon ng gobyerno kung walang sigaw ng Hustiya para kay Percy Lapid at sa lahat ng

mamamahayag na walang awang pinaslang,” he said. “Hindi titigil ang pagpatay kung hindi mahuhuli ang mga makapangyarihang mamamatay tao. Muli naming ipinaaalaala na wag naman sana maibilang lamang sa istatistiko ang nangyari sa aming ama. Tulungan niyo po kami na makamit ang hustisya.” (If there is anything we ask of you, it is to join us in this fight. Because we know that the government’s action will not continue without the cry of Justice for Percy Lapid and all the journalists who were mercilessly murdered. The killings will not stop unless the powerful killers are caught. We hope that our father’s death will not just become part of statistics. Please help us achieve justice.)

Community organizations such as the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and the U.S. Filipinos for Good Governance have set up a GoFundMe account to help support Mabasa’s family. n

Filipino American SAG-AFTRA...

of course they imagine the cost of that and times hundreds of shows that are shut down. Imagine the cost of all the time imagine the cost to all the ancillary businesses that can’t work because we’re out of because we’re you know, because of the work stoppage. It’s billions of dollars.”

In a resounding call for unity, he emphasized that the fight for industry reforms extends far beyond actors themselves. It is a collective endeavor to reshape an industry that has for too long relied on outdated norms.

For Aquino, being present at the rally was about making her voice heard and standing up for the collective importance of every individual within the community. She emphasized that each voice matters, and together, they can effect meaningful change.

Aquino commended the union for its support and the valuable programs it offers, such as the SAG conservatory, which allows actors to continue their education.

A member of SAG-AFTRA since 1991, Dela Fuente recalled his project, an ABC after-school special miniseries led to his union membership. He emphasized the significance of being a part of SAG-AFTRA, citing the support in terms of livelihood, pensions, and health programs.

As the rally concluded, the resounding message from Dela Fuente, Aquino and fellow members of SAG-AFTRA was clear: it is time for the entertainment industry to evolve, embrace inclusivity, and recognize the invaluable contributions of all its stakeholders.

Dela Fuente disclosed his involvement in a spin-off of “The Walking Dead” and addressed the challenges posed by industry strikes. He expresses gratitude for AMC’s willingness to negotiate, ensuring that both parties can continue working together. n

US to ‘invoke’ defense pact in attack...

fish at the Bajo de Masinloc after the “illegal and hazardous” floating barrier was removed.

The area remains free from floating barriers as of Saturday, according to a maritime domain flight conducted by the PCG, although Chinese vessels were still spotted in the shoal.

Fishermen are not WPS intelligence agents

Ang Probinsyano partyList Rep. Alfred de los Santos, deputy majority leader of the House of Representatives, on Saturday, opposed plans by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to use Filipino fishermen to gather intelligence and evidence in the disputed coastal waters in the WPS and the country’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

De los Santos issued

Under the U.S. program, the Philippine Coast Guard hopes to grow its personnel from 5,000 to their goal of about 35,000. ManilaTimes.net file photo the statement after fishery group Bigkis ng Mangingisda Federation said that fishermen around Scarborough Shoal are offering to monitor the situation in the WPS as they are “the best source of information on what is happening there.”

AFP Chief of Staff Romeo

Brawner had said that the military plans to train fisherfolk in the disputed area as reserve forces to “defend the country” against intrusions by China. But de los Santos said that putting fishermen as “intelligence agents” may endanger their lives and urged soldiers,

Mabuhay ang Pilipinas...

our fishermen, who have been fishing in those areas for centuries.

With the barrier removed, fishermen were able to catch 164 tons of fish on that day alone, giving a very clear picture of the economic losses our fisherfolk have been suffering due to intimidation and aggression from China Coast Guard and maritime militia vessels in areas within our exclusive economic zone.

There is no doubt our fishermen have long endured Chinese harassment. It is truly heartbreaking to hear fisherfolk recount the struggles they faced at having been deprived of their livelihood, the frustration and helplessness they felt at being unable to put food on the table, lamenting that they have been made to feel like thieves in their own backyard.

What is equally mortifying is the wanton destruction of our coral reefs, with the damage to our reef ecosystem amounting to billions of pesos every year. No leader with any sense of decency and humanity would tolerate such desecration of rich maritime resources that Senate President Migz Zubiri rightly described as “God’s gift” to mankind.

It is extremely ironic that China has the audacity to claim that we are the ones destroying the environment with the presence of the BRP Sierra Madre in Ayungin Shoal. As Defense Secretary Gibo Teodoro succinctly pointed out, China’s statement is hypocritical. “Talk about the pot calling the kettle black!” Secretary Teodoro fired back, pointing out that China continues to damage the West Philippine Sea and the marine environment by conducting illegal reclamation activities in violation of international law.

The president’s decisive action and the courage displayed by the Philippine

Fil-Am execs among...

professionals and trained reservists to do their job.

He added that it was the main reason the House has decided to move the confidential and intelligence funds from civilian agencies to the PCG and other agencies tasked to monitor the situation in the WPS.

“The Philippine Coast Guard has the mandate on maritime and marine environment law enforcement extending out to the EEZ. The Bantay Dagat sea wardens are for coastal fisheries law enforcement,” de los Santos added.

He said it would be better to mobilize the Coast Guard auxiliaries and military reservists if the Coast Guard and the AFP need more people to gather evidence and intelligence. (Javier Joe Ismael, Franco Jose C. Baroña and Red Mendoza/ ManilaTimes.net) n

the senior business manager and risk & governance officer in the Chief Operating Officer office at DWS Group, bringing with him over two decades of expertise spanning insurance, mutual funds, hedge funds, and regulation. Previously, he held roles as an Associate Compliance Examiner at the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and as an Associate at Goldman Sachs.

At Deutsche Bank and DWS, Flores co-chairs the Asian Inclusion Network and has been a vital member of the Multicultural Partnership Committee of Deutsche Bank in 2017. He remains actively engaged in the Employee Inclusion and Engagement Council and the Graduate Advisory Board for DWS.

and Gaemer Gutierrez of CVS Health received the recognition in 2016, while David de la Cruz was the sole Filipino awardee in 2021. However, there were no Filipino awardees in 2017 and 2019.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workforce

Each year, the Outstanding 50 award committee meticulously selects leaders who have not only achieved remarkable success in business but have also demonstrated exceptional contributions to their communities. Among these distinguished leaders, the committee identifies a Pinnacle Award recipient who stands out as an industry leader, having reached the zenith of their professional career.

Coast Guard as well as the Armed Forces of the Philippines have lifted the morale of Filipinos. This is very evident in the comments and reactions to stories carried by international news outlets. For instance, in the report filed by BBC News about the removal of the floating barrier where Bajo de Masinloc was described as “contested territory,” many commenters pointed out that the area is “not contested since it is within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone,” with many more expressing their support and admiration for the Philippine Navy, the Armed Forces and the PCG.

It is heartwarming to see the encouragement coming from people in other parts of the world, among them India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, the UK, Ireland, the U.S., saying “Well done, Filipinos! We are proud and stand by you,” “I’m very proud of my brothers and sisters in Philippines,” “God bless the Filipinos for standing up and defending its sovereign territory. May all ASEAN countries stand together as one,” and similar comments.

In fact, support from the international community has been growing, expressing solidarity with the Philippines and its pushback against the continuing aggression of China in the West Philippine Sea. More countries are also keen to conduct joint maritime activities with the Philippines, such as Canada, whose Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Ottawa sailed with BRP Antonio Luna and performed joint maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea a week ago.

Early this month, the Philippines will be hosting joint naval exercises with the U.S. on the fundamentals of anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-air warfare and electronic warfare, with interoperability drills to focus on “warfighting serials.” Dubbed

“Samasama” (together), the exercise will also have participants from Japan, Canada, the UK and Australia along with personnel from France, New Zealand and Indonesia.

In a phone call to President Marcos, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for the Philippines in the face of Chinese aggression. France had earlier offered to help the Philippines develop its submarine force to boost the country’s maritime capabilities.

Certainly, funding support from Congress will bolster the capability of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency, NSC, AFP and PCG to conduct intelligence work together with our allies and partners. Surveillance equipment is also being upgraded, with the PCG receiving a boost through the US donation of a P250-million training center and P11 million worth of monitoring equipment to enhance their maritime law enforcement efforts. During her visit last November, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris lauded the PCG for being “on the frontlines of standing up for the international rulesbased order.”

All these recent developments have awakened a greater sense of patriotism among Filipinos who no longer feel helpless and alone, especially with like-minded nations being supportive of efforts to push back and assert our maritime territorial rights and protect our sovereignty in the wake of China’s relentless bullying and aggression. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! (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

Flores is a proud alumnus of Rutgers University, holding a BS in Finance from Rutgers College and an MBA from the Rutgers Business School. His commitment to mentorship has not only impacted Rutgers students and alumni but also earned him the esteemed RBS Distinguished Mentorship Award in 2022.

The recognition of Josue and Flores as two of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business is a testament to their hard work and pursuit of excellence.

Beyond his success, Josue believes in the power of visibility and social responsibility within the realm of business and finance. He advocates for a triple V approach - Victory through Vision, Voice, and Visibility.

“Business and finance are all about numbers,” Josue emphasized. “Be smart, be credible, and be intelligent in all that one does. But it carries with it social responsibility that especially as Asian American and Filipino we need to be visible. We need to have a voice and vision that espouses diversity, equality, and inclusion.”

Josue also believes that there should be a greater representation of Filipino awardees in the future. Last year, there were two distinguished Filipino awardees – Elmer Velasquez (Heidrick & Struggles) and Ed Domingo (Empire City by MGM Resorts). In 2018, Josue’s partner, Jerry Sibal, and Joanne TabellijaMurphy from Walmart were honored. Ramy Inocencio of Bloomberg Television

John Wang, President and Founder of AABDC, emphasized the significance of these recognitions, stating, “Raj Subramaniam of FedEx certainly meets and exceeds our criteria, and he has earned our admiration and appreciation for helming one of the most critical segments of the economy – the logistics and supply chains that keep our lives and businesses humming. This year, we are also privileged to be honoring the impactful life of Ivan Menezes, who left a lasting imprint on Diageo, and who exemplified an Asian American business success story.”

Highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workforce, Wang added, “During a year when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies are being challenged, we hope that our awards tradition demonstrates that diverse workforces produce great talent.”

Last year, the Pinnacle Award celebrated two Asian American female CEOs, Reshma Kewalramani, President and CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Rose Lee, President and CEO of Cornerstone Building Brands Inc.

The gala, a prominent event in the Asian American business community, typically draws over 600 leaders in business, politics, and civic duty, all gathered to pay tribute to the outstanding entrepreneurs and corporate executives in the Asian American business community from across the United States. (By Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n

COMMUNITY JOURNAL

Family petitions family for employment, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy

MOST people think they can only file family petitions for relatives. Actually, they can also petition their family member for a green card through employment.

In this encore episode, viewers can learn how Ana petitioned her aunt, Susan, as a housekeeper. Since the minimum requirement for the job was three months of experience in housekeeping, Aunt Susan was qualified since she worked as a housekeeper in the Middle East and Canada for years.

Ana consulted with and retained leading

U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel, who prepared and submitted all necessary documents, including police clearances from Canada and other countries where Aunt Susan has worked before. Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, October 8 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET thru select Cable/Satellite providers), right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download free app.

(Advertising Supplement)

Fil-Am Broadway actor Eva Noblezada gives a peek of upcoming ‘Gatsby’ musical

AHEAD of its opening on Oct. 12, the cast of “The Great Gatsby” musical, including Filipino-American actor Eva Noblezada, performed a series of songs in a preview last

week.

Noblezada stars as Daisy Buchanan in the new Marc Bruni-directed musical that

PAGE 12

NIECE PETITIONS HER AUNT AS HOUSEKEEPER, THIS SUNDAY ON CITIZEN PINOY. Many people believe the only way to bring relatives to the U.S. is through a family petition. This is not true. Family can petition other family members through an employment-based visa, which can be much faster and is perfectly legal. This is exactly what Ana (center) did when she petitioned her aunt Susan (left) as her housekeeper, through the help of Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (right). Watch this success story on an encore episode of “Citizen Pinoy” on Sunday, October 8 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)

SB19 launches own company 1Z Entertainment with Pablo as CEO

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

SB19 — consisting of Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin — took a leap in their careers as they officially launched their own company 1Z Entertainment, months after declaring they have transitioned into being self-managed stars.

The P-pop supergroup made the announcement during a YouTube live on Sunday, Oct. 1, where their leader Pablo will take on the role as the chief executive office (CEO). The video also showed SB19 unveiling 1Z’s “identity and logo,” which

they hoped will create a “new standard of Filipino artists.”

“Sobrang excited ako kasi pinaka-pride namin itong 1Z Entertainment. Isa ito sa mga biggest achievements namin in life… 1Z Entertainment is built by the members of SB19 together with all the people behind the camera.

Kasama namin sila sa 1Z (I’m so excited because 1Z Entertainment is our pride. It’s one of our biggest achievements in life. 1Z Entertainment is built by the members of SB19 together with the people behind the

PAGE 13

Food as medicine

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

TODAY’S column on food contains some data contributed by my classmate and wife, Farida I. Chua, MD, a retired Northwest Indiana pediatrician, an avid reader/researcher, and a fellow in our annual medical missionary in the rural areas of the Philippines.

As I have written in this column in the past, unless we eat food as medicine today, we shall be eating medicine as food tomorrow.

The body: A chemical factory

Whatever food we eat or beverage we drink turn into chemical ingredients, nutrients, after our gastrointestinal tract digests and absorbs them, and our body metabolizes them. Our entire body is run and controlled continuously, non-stop, by chemicals and chemical reactions our own body produces from sustenance we ingest. This is why it is essential that we eat healthy.

Ahead of its...

PAGE 11

features a book by Kait Kerrigan and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland and Nathan Tysen.

During the preview, Noblezada sang her heart out in the ballad “Beautiful Little Fool,” which alludes to her fear for her infant daughter to be such. “The best thing a girl can be in this world is a beautiful little fool,” she trails off, its lyrics a direct quote from the 1925 novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

She was also joined by Jeremy Jordan, who plays Jay Gatsby, in a romantic duet entitled “My Green Light.” The song starts with a playful exchange—with flying shirts—between the two leads but climaxes into a song of longing, “Only heaven knows what I might do. If I save you, will you save me, too?”

The story, set in Jazz Age, Long Island, New York, follows the mysterious millionaire Gatsby trying to rekindle an old flame with Buchanan.

Noblezada was announced to play Buchanan in July following a buzzy film acting debut in 2019 in the movie “Yellow Rose” alongside Lea Salonga.

She is a Tony-nominated Broadway actor known for her role as Kim in the 2017 revival of “Miss Saigon” and as Eurydice in the 2019 musical “Hadestown.” She earned Best Actress nominations at the Tony Awards for these portrayals.

Born to a Filipino father and a Mexican-American mother in San Diego, California, Noblezada was discovered by casting director Tara Rubin at the 2013 National High School Musical Theatre Awards.

“The Great Gatsby” musical opens Oct. 12 and runs until Nov. 12 at New Jersey’s Paper Mill Playhouse. (Inquirer.net) n

Of course, we must provide it the proper and healthy quantity and quality of food as its source of energy to run the chemical factory well. If we use alcohol, tobacco, and/or illicit drugs, no matter how little, the chemical composition is altered, and the negative effects take its toll, many times, in the “background” and may not be immediately obvious, until years down the line. By then, the harm to our health is done.

Inflammatory food items

Some food items cause inflammation when ingested. Other foods, the anti-inflammatory ones, cause the opposite – good, healthy, effect of

the oil to drop to the charcoal below, which causes dangerous (cancer-causing) fumes to rise up and “attach” to the meat, which results in advance glycation, making the meat more inflammatory and potentially carcinogenic.

Cooking oil

The recommended cooking oil is light olive oil, and the extra virgin oil for (bread) dips. Avocado oil is also healthy. The 8 harmful seed oils to avoid are corn oil, canola oil, cottonseed oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, rice bran oil, soy oil and safflower oil.

Nightshade vegetables

For those with arthritis, nightshade vegetables (solanaceae) are to be

Our body is a large, always active, complex, amazing, and mind-boggling chemical laboratory. It automatically produces whatever chemicals we need. Of course, we must provide it the proper and healthy quantity and quality of food as its source of energy to run the chemical factory well.

stated above, here are some of the healthy, antiinflammatory foods: Fish (ad libitum), chicken without the skin, salmon, small light tuna, pompano, pacific cod, halibut, sole, red snapper, flounder, monkfish, sandfish, sardines, mahimahi, unagi (eel), herring, shrimp, oyster, scallops, clams, crabs, wild Alaskan pollock, and occasional tilapia. From the produce aisle: Papaya, pineapple, avocado, pomegranates, jackfruits, apples, sweet potato, celery, onions, garlic, lettuce, radicchio, artichoke and carrots.

Proteolytic enzymes

Items that reduce inflammation and pain among those with arthritis include Bromelain (pineapple), Papain (in papaya), Rutin, Apple, Turmeric, Devil’s claw, Boswellia, and Ginger extract, Mojave Yucca, etc. Together with avoiding foods bad for arthritis, and eating anti-inflammatory food items, these ingredients above may be tried if pain is still significant. Google this or check on amazon.com.

* * *

Our body is almost a perfect machine, compared to any man-made devices, including artificial intelligence. When we are in pain, the body automatically produces painkillers (natural intrinsic opioid substances) to reduce our discomfort. When we are scared, it produces adrenalin to prepare us (fight or flight) for any danger. When we are bleeding, it instantly “creates” ingredients to promote clotting to stop the bleeding. When given vaccination, it reacts by fortifying our immune system and builds a “special army” to fight (specific) future viral/ bacteria invaders. And so on and so forth.

Indeed, God has gifted us with a super-wonderful body…which, unfortunately many of us abuse…leading to diseases and selfdestruction…thru unhealthy lifestyle and behavior. The food we eat and liquid we drink determines whether we stay healthy or develop illnesses, from simple common cold, or serious ones, like diabetes, heart disease, or even cancer.

Our body is a large, always active, complex, amazing, and mind-boggling chemical laboratory. It automatically produces whatever chemicals we need.

fighting inflammation. Most illnesses start with inflammation (represented by the letters “itis”), as in sinusitis, gastritis, hepatitis, appendicitis, diverticulitis, arthritis, etc.

Inflammatory food items include foods with gluten, lectin, sugars (table sugar, all soft drinks, candies, cookies, bread, most desserts), most carbohydrates, foods made of wheat flour, pasta, processed foods (hot dog, hamburger, bacon, most deli items), burnt meat (from grilling at high heat), soybeans, most fast foods, trans-fats, red meats, alcoholic beverage, tobacco, and foods high in the bad omega-6 and low in good omega-3. These food items are not healthy for any of us, but especially bad for people with gout or arthritis.

Fishes to avoid

Fishes to avoid because of contaminants in them: King mackerel, marlin, swordfish, albacore tuna (high mercury content, but small light tuna fish is healthy), orange roughy, big-eye tuna, shark, swordfish, tilefish (from Gulf of Mexico). The big fishes eat the smaller fish, resulting in higher mercury and other contaminants in the big fishes.

Cancer fumes

High heat, as in grilling food items like meat, causes

avoided as they cause more joint inflammation and pain. These veggies include tomato, potato, eggplant, pepper and paprika. They contain glycoalkaloids (for their protection against predators, like insects, bacteria, fungi, animals), which, unfortunately causes inflammation and pain for people with arthritis.

Purine

Those with gout and/or arthritis should avoid purine, which aggravates pain quickly. Food items high in purine are venison and red meat and fried foods in general, liver, tongue, kidney, tripe, mackerel, bonito fish, sardines, anchovies, spinach, mushroom, asparagus, cauliflower, kale, arugula, and cabbage.

Healthy nuts

The recommended healthier nuts for regular daily intake are walnut, pecan, and pistachio. Almond, macadamia, peanuts, and others, for occasional consumption.

About 1.5 to 2 ounces of any or a combination of those 3 nuts are healthy daily snacks. Nuts provide fibers, nutrients, vitamins and minerals, protein, and they help lower the LDL, the bad cholesterol.

Anti-inflammatory foods

Besides what has been

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

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.

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. He was a recipient of the Indiana Sagamore of the Wabash Award in 1995, conferred by then Indiana Governor, later Senator, and then presidential candidate, Evan Bayh. Other Sagamore past awardees include President Harry Truman, President George HW Bush, Muhammad Ali, and Astronaut Gus Grissom (Wikipedia). Related websites: FUN8888.com, Today. SPSAtoday.com, and philipSchua. com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

Screencap from Playbill/YouTube

SB19 launches own company 1Z Entertainment with...

camera who are with us),”

Pablo said.

Pablo said their company aims to “challenge everything we see in the industry,” while promoting “Filipino music, Filipino talent, and the whole Filipino culture.”

“Sometimes, nabi-view pa kami as nagma-magaling kasi gusto namin ay handson kami sa lahat ng ginagawa namin. But in truth, we’re just so focused on our goal, on the vision that we want to achieve that’s why we couldn’t just blindly follow the things that we were told to do… Tinake namin ang wheel. Since this is also our future, gusto namin hands-on kami sa ginagawa namin,” he said.

(Sometimes, we’re viewed as know-it-alls because we want to be hands-on in everything that we do. But in truth, we’re just so focused on our goal, on the vision that we want to achieve that’s why we couldn’t just blindly follow the things that we were told

to do. We took the wheel. Since this is also our future, we want to be hands-on with everything we do.)

The “La Luna” singer noted that their company aimed to function as an “ecosystem” where artists can help each other create quality content in hopes of “leveling up” the entertainment industry.

“Noong nagkaroon kami ng chance na i-build ‘yung 1Z, it took all the might to take a step forward,” Pablo said. “Sobrang hirap niya kung iisipin. Pero iniisip namin we have vision and we have the people behind us na talagang tutulungan kami na ma-achieve ang [vision] na ‘yun.”

(When we had the chance to build 1Z, it took all the might to take a step forward. It’s hard if you think about it. But we believe in our vision and we have the people behind us who can help us in achieving our vision.)

‘Get you into the zone, break the norm’

Pablo underscored

1Z’s

we work on ourselves, we try to hone our talents and try to develop all the aspects and individualities.

their limitless creativity and passion through groundbreaking music, arts, and entertainment in an ecosystem that is the zone,” he further explained.

SB19 also took to 1Z’s Instagram account to share their company logo andfuture goals,

The five-piece act previously spoke about managing their own label during their “Pagtatag” media launch last June, where Josh said 1Z is built for the “P-pop and OPM industry.”

“We consider this as a sanctuary or a dojo where

EMPLOYMENT HOUSING

This company is inspired by SB19’s key message is to get you into the zone and break

the norm,” he said.

“We believe that in breaking norms, we see that the new standard of Filipino artists unfold. It is our mission to hone breakthrough artists who express

“It’s a risk that we’re taking because we believe in Filipino talents. I hope we can help each other to push the arts and culture of the Philippines. This is not an easy path, it’s a big risk we’re taking right now but I hope this can inspire a lot of people who want to challenge the market and to grow the industry,” he said.

SB19 was previously under ShowBT Philippines before confirming earlier this year their “freedom” as self-managed artists. n

SB19 members (from left) Ken, Justin, Pablo, Josh, Stell.

Image: X/@SB19Official

motto to create a “brighter future” for the next generation of artists, performers and creatives alike.

Feast of Flavors: Filipino chefs to watch at the 2023 NYC Wine & Food Festival

by MoMar G. Visaya / AJPress

Filipino foodies and gourmands in the tri-state area are in for a treat next weekend as New York’s most renowned culinary festival takes over the Big Apple. The much-awaited Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival (NYCWFF) returns to celebrate 16 years this October 12-15 with more than 80 events featuring over 500 chefs from around the world who come together with God’s Love We Deliver to support New Yorkers affected by severe illness.

While there were only a handful of Filipino chefs participating in previous events, this year’s NYCWFF is proud of its crop of Filipino talents participating.

“For this year’s sweet 16, there’s more opportunities than ever for fans and industry experts to unite and celebrate,” said festival founder and director Lee

Brian Schrager. “We have an incredible ensemble of talent, showcasing today’s top chefs, culinary and lifestyle personalities. We’re also pleased to share new, not-to-be-missed events like The Cookout, an homage to Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary that harmoniously blends New York’s most ingenious chefs conjuring their

signature flavors alongside performances from the genre’s most iconic figures.”

NYCWFF is widely recognized as the largest wine and food festival in New York. Among the events happening at this epic gastronomic celebration are a variety of walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, pier parties, master classes, and brunches that will take place at locations across the cityfrom the Intrepid on Pier 86 to the new Hard Rock Hotel in Times Square to Aspire One World Observatory on the 102nd floor of the One World Trade Center.

There will be live culinary demonstrations from some of the most celebrated talent like Marcus Samuelsson, Alex Guarnaschelli, Kardea Brown, Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Scott Conant, Jet Tila, Jeff Mauro, and more as part of the Grand Tasting.

The fan-favorite event makes its return to Hudson River Park’s Pier 76 where a sprawling 245,000 square feet outdoor area will be transformed into a gastronomic wonderland showcasing hundreds of winemakers and distillers from the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits portfolio.

Those looking to learn from today’s top content creators about the latest trends and engage in thoughtprovoking discussions on the

Tom Cunanan (Soy Pinoy)

Augee Francisco (Kabisera)

Dawn Estrada (Cake Jars)

Paul Qui (Golfstrømmen)

Jae de Castro (Keyks)

Francis Jereza (fuku)

Rob Mallari D’Auria (Kalye)

Diana Manalang (Little Chef Little Cafe)

Kimberly Camara (From Kora)

Frances Tariga (Trust Bae)

Celebrity chefs Jet Tila and Masaharu Morimoto return to NYCWFF this year with sold-out events.

Last year’s dinner with Maneet Chauhan, Amanda Freitag and Leah Coehn was sold-out early, like many of the events in this year’s NYCWFF.

Photos Courtesy of Food Network New York City Wine & Food Festival presented by Capital One

What’s the flavor of the month? Bretman

Rock’s ‘Da Fruity Salad’ ice cream collab

B*tch, we’ve got the scoop on Bretman Rock and Wanderlust Creamery’s collaboration for Filipino American History Month and Honolulu Pride Month

By Kristel sambile Inquirer.net

IN a colorful collaboration that celebrates both Filipino American History Month and Honolulu Pride Month, Bretman Rock and Wanderlust Creamery have introduced their latest creation: Da Fruity Salad ice cream.

This vegan and dairy-free treat promises a taste of Bretman’s cherished Filipino fruit salad from his childhood.

Bretman Rock, the social media sensation known for his vibrant personality and unwavering support for LGBTQIA+ causes, has joined forces with Wanderlust Creamery to craft an ice cream flavor that’s not only delicious but also meaningful.

As part of the collaboration, the proceeds from “Da Fruity Salad” will be donated to the Golden Gays, a Philippine nonprofit dedicated to providing support and care facilities for elderly LGBTQIA+ individuals.

The creation of Da Fruity Salad was a labor of love. Wanderlust Creamery’s co-founder Adrienne Borlongan worked closely with Bretman to capture the essence of the Filipino fruit salad. The dairy-free base is made with lentil milk while the ice cream is enriched with tropical flavors like coconut sport, jackfruit, pineapple and coconut-pandan jellies, maraschino cherries, and peach sorbet pearls, all beautifully swirled with Philippine mango jam.

To celebrate the launch of Da Fruity Salad, Bretman will be making store visits at Wanderlust Creamery’s eight locations in Los Angeles. The flavor is also available for delivery, ensuring that fans near and far can savor this unique creation.

Alongside this fruity collaboration is a selection of flavors dedicated to “growing up Filipino in America” in time for Filipino American History Month, such as the brown butter sans rival, green mango, wanderlust halo halo, mani milk tsokolate, and sapin sapin.

Talk about an ice cream collaboration not only brings together the flavors of Filipino heritage but also contributes to a meaningful cause. This is one temptation we would give in to. n

Feast of Flavors: Filipino chefs to watch at the...

intersection of food, culture, and tech should grab tickets to FoodieCon presented by Instagram.

Among the Filipino chefs and businesses we are excited to see are Chef Paul Qui (2012 James Beard Award for Best Chef, Southwest), Tom Cunanan (2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic), Frances Tariga (winner of Morimoto’s Sushi Master), Alexis Antonio and Rob Mallari-D’Auria (Kalye), Kimberly Camara (From Kora), and Diana Manalang (Little Chef Little Café), joining Janice de Castro (Keyks), Dawn Estrada (Cake Jars), Augelyn Francisco (Kabisera), Francis Jereza (fuku), The Boiis Co, are all returning this year.

Where to Catch Them

Paul Qui, who rose to culinary stardom after winning Top Chef and followed this up with a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest is part of the French Bistro Brunch (Sunday, October 15 at The Standard Highline) hosted by Geoffrey and Margaret Zakarian.

Born in Manila and trained in classic French and Japanese cuisine, Qui takes a modernist approach to food that’s delicious and authentic, yet playful and unexpected. A master at marrying classical techniques with local flavors, Qui draws inspiration from Filipino, Japanese, Spanish, and French culinary styles. He is co-owner of Houstonbased restaurant group FAM Hospitality, which includes Neo-Fjordic meets Gulf Coast seafood concept Golfstrømmen, named the #1 restaurant in Houston by the Houston Chronicle.

Tom Cunanan, after being a finalist in 2017 and 2018, won the 2019 James Beard Award for Best Chef, MidAtlantic. He is part of sold-out Asian Bites & Karaoke Nights, hosted by Food Network’s Jet Tila, the LA-based master Thai chef, and Esther Choi, the influential KoreanAmerican chef of mökbar.

In February 2022, Paul Qui brought Cunanan on board to partner along at Soy Pinoy in Houston. Along with his new vision of Filipino comfort fast casual food, Cunanan will also be opening a fine dining restaurant, Hermie’s, and bar Boy Rose honoring his mother, the muse behind his culinary career.

Cunanan was at the helm of Bad Saint when

it was recognized by Bon Appétit magazine as the #2 Best New Restaurant in the country in 2016. Pete Wells of The New York Times gave the restaurant a three-star review, writing that “the food that Tom Cunanan and his cooks prepare under columns of wok smoke is richly compelling no matter how many prior run-ins you’ve had with Filipino food.” Eater named it one of the 38 essential restaurants in America in 2017-2019.

Frances Tariga, who recently won the new sushi competition Morimoto’s “Sushi Master” will join her mentor, famed Japaneseborn Iron Chef and Food Network veteran Masaharu Morimoto in “An Evening with Two Sushi Masters,” in a sold-out dinner at the Tavern on the Green. Chef Frances showcased her journey through omakase at the sushi competition and stuck to her Filipino roots as she created an authentically modern take on the traditional Japanese omakase which later inspired Trust Bae.

Among the celebrated chefs slated to take the stage in front of a live audience at the Festival’s 135,000 square feet culinary playground, Grand Tasting featuring culinary demonstrations at Hudson River Park’s Pier 76 are Robert Irvine, Andrew Zimmern, Geoffrey Zakarian, Scott Conant and Alex Guarnaschelli, among others.

Joining this array of star chefs for both days of the Grand Tasting are Kalye, Janice de Castro of Keyks, and Francis Jereza of Fuku.

Jereza is the director of culinary at Fuku, the fried chicken joint from David Chang. After graduating from The International Culinary Center (ICC) in 2015, Francis developed his culinary chops at Rotisserie Georgette before joining the Fuku team in 2018. Born and raised in the Philippines, Francis draws from both Asian and American influences in crafting Fuku’s

a Filipino-inspired bakery started alongside co-founder Kevin Borja after industry layoffs during COVID-19. Both veterans of teams like for NYC teams like USHG and Make it Nice, Kimberly who is a Culinary Institute of America alum and proud Filipino Queens native, alongside Kevin, explore Filipino culture and cuisine through heirloom recipes combined with their decade of experience in food and beverage.

menu of epically spicy, crispy, and saucy fried chicken.

Chef Jae, as she is fondly called, spent the majority of her career as a marketing and communications director in the financial and professional services world. It was not until she decided to become a stay-at-home mom did she realize her love for dessert making. Keyks is known for their Twinkie-inspired desserts called Keyks, Kukis, and childhood treats made in a more “delicious fashion” to bring a higher level of childhood nostalgia to people’s palates and hearts. Chef Jae’s innovative products and flavor pairings are inspired by our Filipino roots, memorable everyday experiences, and travels.

Kalye is the latest addition of Filipino joints in the Lower East Side, joining Kabisera, Gugu Room, Mama Fina’s, and Pig & Khao. The restaurant’s menu is a reflection of owner Rob Mallari-D’Auria’s deep connection to his Filipino roots, featuring dishes like savory adobo, flavorful longganisa, and delectable ube pao. Kalye has become more than just a place to eat; it’s a symbol of love, determination, and resilience.

Three Fil-Am chefs –Kimberly Camara, Augelyn Francisco, and Diana Manalang - are part of Spritz Society’s Disco & Drinks event, a late-night, drinkfocused danceathon is held at Harbor NYC, a new rooftop venue on the Hudson River that offers incredible views of the surrounding city.

Augee Francisco and her partner, Joey Payumo opened Kabisera, their first food and beverage business together in December 2017, in a 200 sq. ft. space on Allen St. in New York City’s Lower East Side. They have also opened a second Kabisera location inside the Canal Street Market on 261-267 Canal St., as well as her latest opening, Chinatown Deli.

Kimberly Camara is the Chef and co-founder of Kora,

Diana Manalang, a seasoned professional in the hospitality industry, brings over ten years of invaluable experience to her two thriving establishments in Long Island City: Little Chef Little Kitchen and Little Chef Little Café. Armed with a background in marketing for renowned brands like Swarovski and a wealth of knowledge in restaurant management, Diana infuses her ventures with a genuine love for food and exceptional customer service. Before embarking on her entrepreneurial journey, she played a vital role in crafting innovative restaurant and food hall concepts. Notably, she contributed significantly to the success of the esteemed Bareburger Group, ultimately rising to the esteemed position of Managing Partner.

The Boiis Co is part of The Great Big Apple Bake-Off, a sold-out family-friendly baking competition event hosted by Food Network chef and TV personality Carla Hall and “king of sweets” Duff Goldman, founder of Charm City Cakes, host of Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship.”

Last year, Rivy-Major Oponda of The Boiis Co highlighted their classic Mochi Filled Cookies in Ube, Matcha, Salted Caramel, Apple Cider, and Black Sesame. “We feel absolutely thrilled and honored to be even considered to be a part of this event. Being surrounded by such amazing and creative people is truly inspiring,” Oponda told the Asian Journal then. “We strive to continue in bringing Filipino culture, and flavors, and sharing our creations as we go.”

Some of the events like dinners hosted by celebrity chefs like Daniel Boulud, Martha Stewart, Dominique Crenn, Rocco DiSpirito, Marc Murphy, and Marcus Samuelsson are already sold out but tickets to some select events are still available online at nycwff.org. n

Photos from Bretman Rock and Wanderlust Creamery/Instagram

NYC food enthusiasts will be treated to exclusive, one-night-only dinners hosted by some of the world’s most critically acclaimed chefs, complemented by an array of high-end wines and spirits provided exclusively by Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. The series will showcase over 30 seated dinners at some of NYC’s finest establishments.