101322 - Las Vegas Edition

Jo Koy Day proclaimed in Los Angeles

FILIPINO American stand-up comedian Jo Koy now has a day in his honor in the city of Los Angeles, home to the largest Fil-Am population in California.

The Los Angeles City Council proclaimed Oct. 7 as “Jo Koy Day” during its meeting on Friday.“My goal was always to tell my story and represent my culture the best way that I could. Thank you to the beautiful city of Los Angeles for declaring October 7th Jo Koy Day,” Jo Koy wrote in an Instagram post. “I’m forever grateful and I will continue to wave my flag high.

Mahal Kita!”

On Friday, the LA Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE) held its 40th year anniversary event at City Hall and honored Jo Koy’s accomplishments in entertainment.

The night before, City Hall was the site of LA’s annual Filipino American History Month celebration, where the “Easter Sunday” star received an honor and lit up the building in

Fake news kicks into high gear ahead of midterm elections

AS the midterms approach, voters are being bombarded with disinformation in multiple languages.

People who are addicted to fake news get it from sources they trust. Trouble is, people who produce it know they are lying.

“This information has always existed,” says Vanessa Cárdenas, deputy director of America’s Voice and a policy expert on political disinformation. During an Ethnic Media Services press call last week, Cárdenas said that there’s a lot more fake news out there and it spreads quickly.

“What’s different is the way in which we are consuming information has changed, and that has created this monster that we are not able to control, and many times the platforms are not able to control,” she said.

News that misleads reaches millions via Facebook and Twitter. When Fox News peddles conspiracy theories, they play to an audience that wants to believe the message regardless of whether it is true or not.

Cárdenas said false narratives about immigration, crime, and the economy are flourishing on Fox News and its viewers see them repeated constantly as the midterm elections approach. She said the Right has

9 of 10 Filipinos consider fake news a problem

by ANA ROA, KRIXIA SUBINGSUBING Inquirer.net

MANILA — Close to 90 percent of adult Filipinos believe fake news is a problem, a sentiment reflected nationwide and across all socioeconomic classes, according to a recent Pulse Asia Research survey that also pointed to social media “influencers” and journalists as the top culprits.

The Sept. 17-21 survey released on Tuesday, October 12 said a majority (58 percent) of Filipinos nationwide see bloggers and vloggers—the social

media influencers—as responsible for “spreading false information” about government and politics.

They were followed by journalists (40 percent), national politicians (37 percent), local politicians (30 percent), leaders of civic or nongovernmental organizations (15 percent), businessmen (11 percent) and academics (4 percent).

For a media scholar, the survey indicated that the Philippine press had “trust issues and credibility issues” at a time when the public believed that the mainstream media served only as a mouthpiece for the elite and did not accurately reflect the true pulse

of the masses.

While Filipinos somehow recognize that vloggers and bloggers or content creators and influencers “are getting out of hand with their disrespect for the facts, (a) more level-headed approach is needed because fake news may differ among respondents,” said University of the Philippines communications professor Danilo Arao.

“This could explain why responsible journalists get unfairly judged as the truth they report gets mistaken for lies, at the same time that the lies of irresponsible colleagues get ascribed to them,” Arao said.

Appeals court deems DACA illegal, but current recipients still eligible for renewal

Decision prohibits new applicants to the Obama-era immigration program

by KLARIZE MEDENILLA AJPress

A FEDERAL appeals court on Wednesday, Oct. 5 ruled in favor of a lower court’s 2021 ruling that found an Obama-era immigration program unlawful but allowed the hundreds of thousands of recipients the option to renew their DACA status.

The decision concerns the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which former President Barack Obama created in 2012 to provide temporary benefits and protections to undocumented immigrants who were brought to the U.S. as children.

In short, the Wednesday decision — made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit — did not change

Marcos: PH can recover from impact of global con icts

by ALEXIS ROMERO Philstar.com

MANILA — Through unity and good governance, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. says he is confident that the Philippines can recover from the impact of global conflicts and economic shocks.

In a video that marked his first 100 days in office, the president noted that the beginning of his administration was confronted by the impact of external conflicts and economic challenges, but maintained that huge problems should not be obstacles to the recovery of the country.

The eight-and-a-half-minute video was posted on YouTube by Ten17P, the film production company of Marcos’ relative Paul Soriano.

“There are many more dreams that we have to focus on and fulfill. Our colleagues in the government are diligent and competent,” Marcos said in Filipino.

“Only 2,400 hours have passed. Be assured that in the coming 2,090 days, with the blessing of God, good governance and our collective efforts, we will recover together,” he added.

The video was basically a recap of the

PH appeals court junks Ressa cyber libel appeal; Supreme Court next

by KRISTINE JOY PATAG Philstar.com

MANILA — Rappler CEO Maria Ressa will be bringing an appeal of her conviction on cyber libel against to the Supreme Court after the Court of Appeals dismissed their motion for reconsideration.

“Wherefore, the motion for reconsideration is denied,” the CA’s Fourth Division says in a ruling promulgated October 10. Ressa and former Rappler researcher Rey Santos sought reconsideration of the same CA court decision dated July 7, 2022 that affirmed Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46’s ruling that found them guilty beyond reasonable doubt for the crime of

cyber libel.

In the same July ruling, the CA also lengthened potential prison time to six months and a day to six years, eight months and 20 days.

The CA said it found the motion for reconsideration filed by Ressa and Santos had no merit.

“A careful and meticulous review of the motion for reconsideration reveals that the matters raised by the accused-appellants had already been exhaustively resolved and discussed in the assailed Decision,” the ruling, penned by Associate Justice Roberto Quiroz, read.

Concurring were Associate Justices Ramon Bato Jr. and Germano Francisco Legaspi.

Ressa, in a statement, said she is disappointed by the ruling but was not surprised. “This is a reminder of the importance of independent journalism holding power to account,” she added.

Her lawyer Theodore Te also found the ruling “disappointing”, saying “it ignored basic principles of constitutional and criminal law as well as the evidence presented.”

He said they will bring the case to the Supreme Court next.

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden-Harris administration

by AJPRESS

UPON taking office, President Joe Biden promised to have an administration that reflected the United States’ diversity. In addition to having Kamala Harris as the first Black, South Asian and woman vice president, the administration has had a lot of ‘firsts’ in the Cabinet and key agency appointees.

In honor of October as Filipino American History Month, the Asian Journal spoke to several Fil-Ams working across the administration — from the Executive Branch to various agencies that keep the country running.

Nani Coloretti

Deputy Director Office of Management and Budget

Hometown: Honolulu, Hawaii

Prior to the Biden-Harris administration, Coloretti worked at the Urban Institute and served the Obama administration as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and as an Assistant Secretary at the Department of Treasury.

How has being Filipino American shaped your identity and career path?

For the legal community, this is a test case to the nascent anticybercrime law, while press freedom advocates have said the conviction highlights

criminalizing

problem

My grandparents emigrated from the Philippines in 1927 to support the many Filipinos moving to Hawaii to work in the sugar cane fields. My grandfather was a minister and a union organizer; my grandmother was one of the first Filipina nurses in this country; and my mom worked as a nurse and, later, as a child-care teacher. Although I did not get a chance to meet my grandfather, who passed away before I was born, my grandmother lived with us and she — along with my Aunts and Uncles — had a strong influence on me and

REFURBISHED. Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (2nd from left), Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto Jr. (right), and Undersecretary Antonio Morales (left) lead the

of the Office of Consular Affairs at

photo by Avito Dalan

Nani

of 10

Filipinos consider...

This view of the media will remain as long as certain news organizations “perpetuate statesponsored disinformation like denialism and Red-tagging,” he said.

Pulse Asia polled 1,200 respondents. Its survey had a margin of error of plus-minus 2.8 percentage points for national percentages.

The poll was taken as some “key developments” were reported in the news prior to or during the survey period.

These include the order signed by President Marcos lifting the mandate on wearing face masks in open and noncrowded outdoor areas; the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the President’s late father and namesake; Mr. Marcos’ state visits to Singapore and Indonesia where he said he obtained P805 billion in investment pledges; and the depreciation of the Philippine peso to a record low of P58 to the dollar.

The survey results showed that 90 percent of respondents had heard, read or watched fake news, with 21 percent saying they were exposed to fake news at least once a day. A fourth of the respondents said they encountered fake news a few times a month while another 26 percent said a few times a week and 17 percent said once a week.

The survey showed 86 percent believe fake news was a problem, but only 55 percent were confident in their ability to determine whether the political news they encounter were truthful or not.

Only 44 percent said they were sure that the political news they were getting were not fake news while 11 percent said they were unsure, and 44 percent could not

determine the veracity of the news.

Social media or the internet (68 percent) and television (67 percent) were cited as top sources of fake news, followed by radio (32 percent), friends or acquaintances (28 percent), family or relatives (21 percent).

The least cited sources of fake news were community leaders (4 percent), newspapers (3 percent), and religious leaders (1 percent).

An earlier survey (Sept. 6-11, 2021) by Pulse Asia showed that television was the source of news for an overwhelming number (91 percent) of respondents.

Following in far second was radio (49 percent) and third the internet (48 percent).

Family and relatives (37 percent) and friends and relatives (25 percent) were more popular sources of news than newspapers, which a mere 3 percent of respondents had read.

The spread of false information online was among the top global concerns cited of respondents in a recent Pew Research Center survey across 19 countries.

The survey report, released in August, showed a median of 70 percent across 19 countries view the spread of false information online as a major national threat, after global climate change.

In 2018, the Philippines was referred to by Facebook’s Global Politics and Government Outreach director Katie Harbath as “patient zero” in the global war against disinformation.

In that same year, a Pulse Asia survey found 88 percent of Filipinos who accessed social media accounts were aware of fake news on social media with 79 percent of respondents saying they considered fake news to be

widespread on those platforms.

A December 2021 survey by Social Weather Stations also found 69 percent of Filipinos saying the problem of fake news in the media was serious.

Former Bayan Rep. Neri Colmenares, who campaigned on a platform to eradicate disinformation in his run for the Senate in the May elections, said the Pulse Asia survey reflected current realities.

“The problem of fake news is growing because people in power feed it and are continuously feeding it through hired trolls or creating vlogs and posts with dubious content,” he said. “It is incumbent upon real journalists and the public who strive for the truth to combat this scourge of the digital age.”

Arao said it was interesting that at least 55 percent of the survey respondents were confident that Filipinos could tell the truthfulness of the political news they received. But still, he said, a large number (37 percent) were not confident about whether others could spot fake news.

This lack of confidence, according to Arao, could be a factor in the ranking of journalists next to content creators and influencers as sources of fake news.

He urged the media to “veer away” from gossip, trivia, and rumor and to focus on relevant matters.

By doing so, Arao hopes that the public would not pay attention to propagandists who project themselves as alternatives to mainstream media.

“These contribute to a better media system and can hopefully earn the trust of audiences,” he said. g

PH appeals court junks Ressa cyber libel appeal...

journalists in line.

On republication

Ressa and Santos argued that they merely corrected one letter in the original article published on May 29, 2012, when it was updated on Feb. 19, 2012. This, they claimed, the provisions on cyber libel — enacted into law in September 2012 — and its penalty were applied ex-post facto.

“As settled, the determination of republication is not hinged on whether the corrections made

therein were substantial or not, as what matters is that the very exact libelous article was again published on a later date,” the CA said.

On prescription

The CA said that the argument of Ressa and Santos that cited Wilberto Tolento v. People, a decision that settled that prescriptive period for cyber libel is 15 years “has no doctrinal value and cannot be considered as a binding precedent as it was an unsigned resolution.”

It added that it cannot disregard “the stark distinction between traditional publication and online publication” since printed articles are only published once. In online publication, they said, “the commission of such offense is continuous since the such article remains there in perpetuity unless taken down.”

“Thus, applying to the present case, the defamatory article published against Wilfredo Keng is continuously published in the

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden-Harris...

my sisters as we grew up in Ha waii. From my family, I learned to value hard work, to focus on education, and the importance of empathy and taking care of oth ers when you can. All of this has helped shape my career path in public service.  Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Fili pino American?

Throughout my career, I have looked for ways to increase op portunity for everyone and make

more real the American promise that if you work hard, you can move your life and the lives of others in a positive direction. The Biden-Harris Administration has focused on equity and inclusion from Day One, and continues to deliver on its promise to support an economy that works for ev eryone. I am thrilled to be a part of this effort, and as a Filipina, I believe that diverse representa tion contributes to creating the best solutions to solve complex problems.

What does Filipino American

History Month mean to you?

In my lifetime, the Filipino American population has grown eleven-fold, from under 400,000 to over 4.2 million, making it one of the fastest growing popula tions in the United States. I think it is important to have an annual reflection on the many contribu tions Filipinos have made and continue to make to this coun try. It is also a gift to share more about the history of and individual stories about Filipino Americans, some of the most interesting and fascinating people I know.

Gina Ortiz Jones

Under Secretary of the Air Force

U.S. Department of Defense

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Gina Ortiz Jones, Under Secretary of the Air Force, U.S. Department of Defense

An Iraq War veteran, Ortiz Jones is the second-highest rank ing civilian in the Department of the Air Force and the second highest-ranking Fil-Am serving in the current administration. She made history as the first woman of color and the first out lesbian to serve as an under secretary of any military department.

How has being Filipino Amer ican shaped your identity and career path?

I’m a proud first-generation Fil ipina American, and growing up my mother always reminded my sister and me that we were lucky, not smart, but lucky to have been born in the United States. My un cle joined the U.S. Navy as part of the Steward program, and my mother came to this country as a domestic helper, despite having graduated from the top universi ty in the Philippines, UP-Diliman. It’s a truly special country where my family’s story is possible, and I’ve always been motivated to serve to ensure those same opportunities are there for those who follow.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Fili pino American?

I joined to serve an administra tion that I knew would reflect my values. As a Filipina American,

I’m appreciative of the adminis tration’s focus on ensuring those serving reflect the diversity of the lived experiences of those being served—to include the 4 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans living in the United States.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

Filipino American History Month is a time to celebrate our contributions to American histo ry, as well as an opportunity to think about the strategic impor tance of the U.S.-Philippines rela tionship. As the Under Secretary of the Air Force, I see every day just how important our alliance is to the continued peace and security in the Indo-Pacific. Our countries have always had a spe cial relationship, and I think it’s important to keep that in mind as we face our mutual challenges and opportunities.

Camille Calimlim Touton

Commissioner

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada  bureau in the Department of the Interior.

and what does it mean as a Fil ipino American?

How has being Filipino Amer ican shaped your identity and career path?

Touton is only the second U.S. Senate-confirmed female com missioner in Reclamation’s 119year history and the first Fil-Am confirmed by the Senate to lead a

My grandparents instilled in me the importance of family and ser vice to our community, and coun try. It is on that foundation and in their sacrifices that a granddaugh ter of the Philippines is living the American dream.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration,

I joined the administration to be in service to the American people in carrying out the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s mission of deliver ing water and producing hydro power for the American West.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?   May we celebrate what makes us unique and recognize our shared values.

Camille Calimlim Touton, Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

Marcos: PH can recover from impact of...

PAGE 1

major engagements of Marcos and the accomplishments of different agencies.

Marcos started by touting the investment pledges made during his inaugural trips to Indonesia and Singapore.

He said 12 letters of intent and 12 memoranda of understanding in renewable energy, data centers, e-commerce, broadband technology, startups, government housing and agriculture were signed during the two state visits last month.

The pledges may yield $14.36 billion or P804.78 billion worth of investments to the Philippines, he added.

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos, Migrant Workers

Secretary Susan Ople, and Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista also appeared on the video to talk about the programs and accomplishments of their respective agencies.

An infographic posted on the social media pages of the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) also highlighted the administration’s gains in the areas of health (kalusugan), peace (kapayapaan), livelihood (kabuhayan) and education (edukasyon).

Under “kalusugan,” the OPS enumerated the giving of P1.04billion special risk allowance to health care workers, the higher number of persons vaccinated against COVID-19, the PinasLakas vaccination campaign and the executive order easing the face mask rule.

The accomplishments listed under “kapayapaan” were the

representation of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front and other sectors in the Bangsamoro Transition Authority and the assistance given to former rebels.

Under “kabuhayan,” the administration cited the 134,285 jobs that may be created by the investment pledges secured during Marcos’ trips to Indonesia, Singapore and the United States.

The resumption of face-to-face classes, free rides and financial aid for students were listed under “edukasyon.”

Last week, Marcos said he considers the tapping of the “best and the brightest” to serve in his administration and the putting up of a “functional” government as his key accomplishments in his first 100 days as president. g

Jo Koy Day proclaimed in...

Philippine flag colors as he was joined by Mayor Eric Garcetti and Fil-Am community leaders.

In his speech at the council chambers, the comedian — best known for his jokes about Filipino culture — shared how he uses humor to show the relatability of the community in the United States.

“I want to do a thing where I could tell the story about my mom and just let you hear about what my mom does as a mom. And then you will relate to it and realize that a mom is just a mom no matter what her ethnicity is, what her religion is, what her accent is,” he said.

Jo Koy, who has catapulted to success for his stand-up comedy and Netflix specials, noted the lack of community representation on mainstream entertainment, especially in medical shows, given that Filipinos are largely in the medical field.

“I have so many Filipino nurses in my family. I have an aunt that has about seven nursing homes and just a ton of Filipino nurses out there. They work their butts off, they take care of people 14 hours a day. They have been doing it for over 30 years. And then they go home every day after a hard day’s work and they turn on the TV and they watch about any hospitals and they don’t see one nurse being played by Filipinos,” he said.

He lamented that it shouldn’t

be “normalized” and that the lack of representation makes Filipinos feel “like they are invisible.”

Through his comedy, he said, he wants “to give that voice.”

“I will continue to do it. It’s important, representation is important,” Jo Koy added.

In 2020, the city of San Diego

declared Oct. 16 as “Jo Koy Day.” On July 22 of this year, he received the key of Daly City, California and likewise had the day named after him, leading up to the release of “Easter Sunday,” the first major Hollywood studio film about Fil-Ams, which hit theaters in August. (AJPress)

Oct. 7, 2022 was proclaimed “Jo Koy Day” by Los Angeles in honor of Filipino American comedian Jo Koy. The proclamation was joined by a Fil-Am History Month celebration by the LA Filipino Association of City Employees. Photos courtesy of LAFACE

Cortez Masto attends Asian Night Market, speaks with AAPI community members

LAS VEGAS – Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) visited the Asian Night Market, hosted annually by the Asian Community Development Council, and spoke with community members about her work to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Nevadans and their businesses.

“The Asian Community Development Council’s Asian

Night Market is one-of-a-kind, and this year’s event welcomed around 10,000 people,” said Senator Cortez Masto on Saturday, October 8. “I was thrilled to speak with so many Nevadans at the Asian Night Market, and I’ll always work to support our state’s thriving AAPI community and stand up for our hardworking families and businesses in the Silver State.”

Senator Cortez Masto met with AAPI leaders in Las Vegas in August to discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act would lower costs for families and create good-paying jobs in Nevada. Last year, she helped secure passage of the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which she cosponsored to address the rise of hate crimes and violence targeted at AAPI Americans. g

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden-Harris...

Ditas Macrine Katague

Associate Director for Communications

U.S. Census Bureau

Hometown: Sacramento, CA

can shaped your identity and ca reer path?

Ditas Macrine Katague, Associate Director for Communications, U.S. Census Bureau

An expert in multi-ethnic out reach and civic engagement, Katague is responsible for leading internal and external communica tions activities of the nation’s larg est statistical agency, the Census Bureau. Prior to joining the Cen sus Bureau, Katague was director of the California Complete Count – Census 2020 Office, the outreach and communications campaign that worked to ensure a complete population count of historically un dercounted Californians.

How has being Filipino Ameri

As a Filipino American, I am drawn to work that allows me to reach underserved populations to ensure they have a voice in deci sion and policy making. During my University years, I witnessed the People Power revolution and was inspired by the power that people working together can have to impact their future. My parents both instilled a sense of service to community and encouraged me to pursue a career in public service.  Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

Having the opportunity to serve the Biden-Harris Administration at the Census Bureau allows me to take the 25 years of experience leading California’s Census out reach and communications to the national level. My expertise reach

ing underserved populations will help connect the Administration’s policy efforts to the communities who need their voices heard – in cluding the Filipino community. Here at the Census Bureau, I hope to be a continuous voice regarding the disaggregation of data for our communities.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?   I am proud to have a Filipino American History Month in ad dition to Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in May. Filipino American History Month allows me to take the time to recognize and appreciate my father who immigrated to the U.S. for better education and a brighter future for his family. This month also helps highlight the path many Filipino Americans have taken and the im pact they have had on the U.S.  u PAGE 12

Escape… almost… from PNP HQ

REMEMBER Fathur Rohman al-Ghozi? At dawn on July 14, 2003, the Indonesian bomb-maker involved in the deadly nightclub bombings in 2002 in Bali as well as several bomb attacks in the Philippines walked out of his Camp Crame detention cell together with two Abu Sayyaf members who were being held for ransom kidnappings.

One of the Abu Sayyaf bandits, Omar Opik Lasal, even gave a television interview afterwards. He narrated that they simply walked past jail guards to the fire exit, where Al-Ghozi shaved off his beard. They strolled across the camp ground to the main gate, past police rookies in training and the sentries, all of whom ignored the inmates. They boarded a taxi, and in three days, they were back in Mindanao.

Editorial

Police would subsequently catch and kill the other Abu Sayyaf escapee, Abdulmukim Edris, and months later, Al-Ghozi himself. But this would not minimize the embarrassment created by the socalled great escape from the headquarters of the Philippine National Police, which occurred eight years after Khadaffy Janjalani, brother of Abu Sayyaf founding chieftain Abdurajak Abubakar Janjalani, also bolted the same detention facilities in 1995 by climbing through a ceiling duct. After Abdurajak was killed, Khadaffy became Abu Sayyaf leader until his death in 2006.

Little wonder then that three more detainees believed to be Abu Sayyaf members attempted

to escape from the Camp Crame Custodial Center on Sunday morning, October 9. Feliciano Sulayao Jr., Arnel Cabintoy and Idang Susukan stabbed a policeman in their attempt to flee. Another cop shot and killed Cabintoy and Susukan. The fleeing Sulayao saw an open cell door, entered and held the inmate hostage at knifepoint. The inmate, who had opened the door for her morning exercise and prayers, happened to be former senator Leila de Lima. Sulayao was later also shot dead.

The detention facility at PNP headquarters is supposed to be reserved for high-value inmates that require maximum security. Yet terrorists with some knowledge of escaping detention aren’t the only inmates who have bolted the Custodial Center. Even drug trafficking suspects have waltzed out of Camp Crame, apparently after paying off jail custodians.

At least this time the escape attempt was foiled, although with lethal consequences for the inmates.

On Monday, October 10 the PNP leadership announced that the chief of the Custodial Center had been sacked. And at least De Lima survived,

and might be accorded “home furlough” while on trial for drug-related charges. Beyond allowing her house arrest, the courts should speed up adjudication of the cases against her, which were

On rst 100 days, questions raised on FM Jr.’s foreign trip

worry about the most.”

“I TRY very hard to put an impetus into government. ‘Come on, let’s go. We need to do these things. We haven’t very much time…’ We have very many difficulties. We cannot count on other countries to help us in ways that they used to be able to help us so it is up to us.

“That kind of message I think has filtered down to not only the elected officials, not only the high officials in government, but to slowly make the bureaucracy understand, make all our officials understand that… as a government we are here to govern.”

Thus has Ferdinand Marcos Jr. essentially assessed his presidency’s accomplishments, in its first 100 days, to “put together government which is functional and which has a very good idea of what we are targeting in terms of strict economic targets [and means to attain them].”

He admitted, however, being much worried about complacency in the government. Here’s how he put it across: “The one thing I worry about very much is coasting. It goes like this, ‘This is OK. This will do. You don’t really need to attend to this anymore. It’s going to be alright. You can all go have a holiday.’ That’s what I

On the Move

SEGUNDO ECLAR ROMERO

PERCIVAL Mabasa, known by his broadcast name Percy Lapid, assassinated at age 63, was on a hot streak. His “Percy Lapid Fire” online broadcast program at dwBL 1242 and YouTube quickly became a habit for many Filipinos who wanted sparkling scoops and interpretations of political events in the country. Created only in May 2019, it quickly raised a viewership of 132 million as it took on Rodrigo Duterte and Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and their close associates.

Lapid did not fail his audience. Sitting in a studio with the usual oversized broadcast microphone partly covering his face, an audiovisual control panel at his fingertips, and a

Ironically, it’s that attitude he called “coasting” that was raised in numerous criticisms over Marcos Jr.’s second trip to Singapore – to attend the F1 Grand Prix over the past weekend. The trip (which included his wife Liza Araneta, congressman son Sandro and cousin, Speaker Martin Romualdez) wasn’t officially announced prior to their departure.

“Security reason” was the belated explanation given by the new Executive Secretary, retired Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin (more on this later).

How have the marginalized sectors, people’s organizations and advocacy groups that have been tracking the new administration’s performance assessed its first 100 days in power?

The People’s Summit 2022, a conference of these various grassroots organizations and advocacy groups, noted that when sworn in as president, Marcos Jr. “promised a comprehensive and inclusive program to transform the Philippine economy.” After 100 days, it said, “we are nowhere near having this touted program to transform the Philippine economy and address all the systemic problems laid bare by the pandemic.”

“The people are reeling from the economic crisis, with rising inflation that has impacted food prices as their

foremost concern,” they said. “The government is deep in debt, more than P13 trillion and counting. In his three months in office, Marcos Jr. has exhibited a lack of leadership, a lack of urgency on the most pressing problems and a penchant for image-building and lavish living that is grossly offensive in light of the ongoing crisis.”

“When the people call for democratic, ethical and accountable governance,” People’s Summit added, “Marcos responds with an utter lack of prudence in public spending. He has no qualms in availing expensive accommodations and bringing along a large presidential entourage in his trips abroad, while refusing to be transparent and accountable in the way he spends public funds.”

“Meanwhile, his administration is wracked by infighting, resignations and unfilled Cabinet positions,” the group observed.

The President’s recent jaunt to Singapore has been described as “insensitive” because people in Luzon were then suffering from the severity of Super Typhoon Karding. Bersamin was sharply criticized for brushing aside the “insensitivity” issue and dismissing as “irrelevant” queries about how the trip was funded.

Replying to the questions about the money spent, he said: Wala kaming direct knowledge kung paano ang funding niyan

But I am sure if that was the trip of the President, you do not need 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 visit.”

“Now, whether it was a fully[government] paid trip or not is irrelevant,” he added.

Moreover, Bersamin pointed out, “The welfare of the First Family is of concern to the state. You may not call that state visit, nonetheless, it’s not any less covered by the law that accords importance and value to the welfare of the First Family.”

“So it’s beyond the issue,” the former chief justice said. “It’s not relevant at all to question, to ask kung sino gumastos. Basta he was doing something for us. If public funds were spent, walang problema diyan because that was also a trip undertaken for the interest of the Philippines.”

Bersamin then went on to scold the questioners: “Do not be too rigid in thinking na hindi mo dapat gastusan ng taxes, kung ginamit. You have the obligation to secure, to ensure that the President travels safely. Whose obligation is that? The government’s.”

Seemingly on second thought, the executive secretary clarified: “I’m not saying na ang ginastos nya puro public funds. No, I’m not. May kakayahan si Presidente na magbiyahe nang ganun sa sarili.”

Further defending Marcos Jr.’s trip, Bersamin bragged that other bigwigs also attended the Formula 1 Grand Prix event.

“What’s so insensitive about it? Alam niyo kung sino ‘yung mga nanuod doon? Mga ministers din tulad niya. He was even higher than all of them. It is something that would attract big people in other countries in Asia. The President was not the only dignitary there.” Bersamin even speculated that Marcos Jr. “must have been invited [by the Singapore prime minister] because his presence might have added there some suspense and intrigue and some importance to that event.”

“Alam ninyo, our President

Why journalists matter

laptop to the side, he would dish out the latest political events and give scathing commentaries. He gave the issues a thorough 360-degree perspective, peppering his talk with nicknames he has for his live targets—e.g., “Digongnyo” for Duterte—his favorite target. There is something about broadcasters that gets the goat of onion-skinned, unscrupulous, corrupt, and inept politicians, criminals, businessmen, and other anti-social types. Duterte, perhaps, expresses the feelings of politicians at the receiving end of what they consider “undeserved” blasts from broadcasters. On May 31, 2016, the then newly elected president said in a press conference that journalists are legitimate targets of assassination “if you’re a son of a bitch.” He cited broadcaster Jun Pala, who was assassinated in Davao City

when Duterte was mayor, as someone who “deserved it.”

It must be in the way broadcasters can use the spoken language like a scalpel, digging into the rotten core of an issue. They have a way of using innuendo and colorful codenames and clues for their targets and their shenanigans.

Writers at least will be able to review their text and moderate themselves. The sharper their pens, the more alert are their editors in saving the whole media organization from libel suits. But broadcasters can only be warned or censured at the end of a program, when they have already unloaded their daily supply of lethal verbal daggers and brickbats.

From a nation-building perspective, the assassination of a prominent broadcaster brings the public to a higher level of political awareness.

It is an altogether consuming collective enterprise as people crave answers—“Who was the mastermind?” “Why?” In this age of social media, that gives the broadcaster a new wind, as people voraciously consume his last known broadcasts to get a sense of what was worth being killed for. It is an opportune time for educating the public on things they take for granted. When someone dies a political death, people sense it is also somehow about the people and pay attention.

But why do journalists and broadcasters matter? As Walter Cronkite said in 2005, reflecting on the weak state of political and civic education in the United States, “We are not intelligent enough, we’re not educated well enough to perform the necessary act of selecting our leaders for the future. We’ve got to improve

that situation, and it’s going to be, to a large degree, up to us in television and radio, in broadcasting, to get that job done. If we fail at that, our democracy, our Republic, is, I think, in serious danger.”

Journalists and broadcasters matter because they are instrumental in educating the public about those sensitive and critical issues, kept from public view, on which the wellbeing of the people and the nation depend.

Lapid throws a spotlight on the whole set of Filipino broadcasters who have helped shape the political consciousness of many Filipinos. Now we know that 197 journalists have been killed since 1986 according to the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines. Journalists who die are athletes in a relay. They raise awareness about issues by

naging matinee idol eh,” Bersamin gushed before the reporters. “His presence in an event like that will be well appreciated and he might have attracted more audience. It’s not immodest, it’s not contrary to morals; private time yan.”

This is a former chief justice of our highest tribunal. Now that he’s executive secretary, how effusively he talks about his boss. (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.

* * *

Email: satur.ocampo@gmail.com

risking their lives. It is not their intention that their advocacies and the issues co-terminate with them. They mean for other citizens to take up the issue and run forward with it.

We need more Percy Lapids for as we mark the 100th day in office of the Marcos Jr. administration, we need people to remind them that while we may not be able to show proof of development emerging in the first 100 days, we certainly are able to show indicators of impending catastrophes to our democracy, our development, and our sense of nationhood.

(Inquirer.net)

*

*

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily

the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board

filed over five years ago. At the same time, the PNP should put a decisive end to this embarrassment of escapes, whether successful or foiled, from Camp Crame. (Philstar.com)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Malacañang photo

PH appeals court junks Ressa cyber libel appeal...

Rappler website despite the lapse of one year from the time of its republication, and can still be readily consumed by anyone who has access to the cyberspace,” it said.

The CA also said that the conviction of Ressa and Santos under the Cybercrime law “is not geared towards the curtailment

of the freedom of speech, or to produce an unseemingly chilling effect on the users of cyberspace that would possibly hinder free speech.”

“On the contrary, we echo the wisdom of the Supreme Court in the Disini case that the purpose of the law is to safeguard the right of free speech, and to curb, if not totally prevent, the

reckless and unlawful use of the computer systems as a means of committing the traditional criminal offenses,” it added.

Disini v. Secretary of Justice is the 2014 Supreme Court resolution that voided parts of the Cybercrime Prevention Act as unconstitutional but retained the heavier penalties for cyber libel. g

Appeals court deems DACA illegal...

PAGE 1

the current status of DACA, but rather left its future hanging in the balance.

The new rule barring new applicants takes effect on Oct. 31.

As of 2022, the average age of a DACA recipient is 28 years old, and there are currently more than 611,000 individuals enrolled in DACA. Though DACA recipients are diverse, a vast majority hail from South America and Asia. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), about 3,880 Filipinos are active recipients of DACA.

For years, DACA has remained a controversial topic. Conservatives and antiimmigration groups argue that the government shouldn’t grant undocumented immigrants benefits and protections — even if they were brought to the U.S. as small children. Democrats have been fighting to preserve DACA, especially after former President Donald Trump unsuccessfully tried to terminate the program in 2017.

However, immigrant rights groups have argued that the issue goes beyond DACA, which is a temporary protections

program, and that the White House and Congress ought to prioritize permanent solutions for undocumented individuals.

“It is beyond time for Congress and Biden to act on their promises to secure permanent protections for Dreamers, including a pathway to citizenship for all,” Families Belong Together, an immigrant rights group, said in a statement, referencing the neverpassed DREAM Act that would have guaranteed a pathway to citizenship.

The lower court ruling was made in July 2021 by Judge Andrew Hanen of the Southern District of Texas, which ruled DACA “unlawful” and barred new applications for the program; the order, however, allowed for renewals for existing DACA beneficiaries.

Texas wasn’t the only state claiming that DACA was a financial burden; Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and West Virginia — all staunchly conservative states — joined Texas in its lawsuit against DACA in 2018.

Advocates for DACA — including the Biden Administration — argue that without the program,

healthcare costs would increase for undocumented immigrants and their families, a point that the appeals court acknowledged in their ruling.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit wrote that without DACA, the cost of healthcare in Texas “would increase for [undocumented individuals] who remain in Texas, because they would lose their jobs and employer-based health insurance and would rely more on emergency Medicaid.”

But the ruling continues, “That may be, but these estimates do not account for the cost savings — healthcare and educational — from others’ departure. Texas would no longer be required to educate those who depart or the children who depart with them.”

In July arguments, the Biden administration, through the U.S. Justice Department, defended DACA along with multiple immigrant groups, the state of New Jersey and dozens of corporations — including Amazon, Apple, and Google — who all argued that DACA recipients have served as a reliable workforce that continues to stimulate the economy. g

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING

Street, Las Vegas,

Beckett, Contracts Administrator,

Government e-Marketplace (NGEM)

the solicitation requirement. Bidders can also download the solicitation document for SNVRHA website https://www. snvrha.org/ click on “Doing Business” for the Procurement page.

Pre-Bid Meeting

Conference will be conducted on

20, 2022 at 10:00 am

companies attending this meeting must

SNRHA their contact

their

to

Microsoft Teams Meeting

on your computer, mobile app or room

ID: 273 975 264 611

MAkzgy Download Teams | Join on the web Or call in (audio

All questions must be submitted through the Nevada Government e-Marketplace (NGEM) https://nevada.ionwave.net/ by:

November 7, 10:00 A.M.

All responses to questions will be issued in NGEM in the form of an Addendum.

Two (2) Step Submission Process: Per Section of the RFP document, both the cost proposal and delivery of the hardcopy proposal must submitted by the submission date and time noted below: 1. All Cost Proposal are to be entered in NGEM; and 2. Hardcopy proposals must be delivered to SNRHA

As stated within Section 5.0 of the RFP document, deliver three (3) copies of your “hard copy” proposal as specified in Section 5 of the RFP document. .

The proposed costs must be entered within the

site;

the “hard copy” proposal must be delivered to SNRHA by the date and timenoted above. No late submissions will be accepted.

NOTICE TO ELECTORS OF CLOSE OF REGISTRATION FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Registrar of Voters of Clark County, Nevada, will conduct a registration of qualified electors for the General Election to be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Any qualified elector whose name does not appear on the official registry list may apply for registration by mail, in-person, online, or through same day registration in the manner approved by law according to the deadlines listed below. (NRS 293.3568, 293.560, 293.565, 293.5832, 293.5837, 293.5842, 293.5852)

The deadlines to register for the first time or update your existing voter registration by mail or online in time for the November 8, 2022, General Election and still receive a mail ballot are below. After those dates pass, voters who wish to register for the first time, or make changes to their existing registration information will have to do so through the same-day registration process, either online or in-person (at an early voting site or on Election Day at a Vote Center). New registrants will be required to vote a provisional ballot in-person at any early voting site or on Election Day at any Vote Center. We strongly encourage all qualified electors to register to vote or update their existing voter registration as soon as possible.

2022 GENERAL ELECTION VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND HOURS Method of Registering Dates Hours

Through the mail, government agencies, or in person voter registration application to: Clark County Election Center 965 Trade Drive, Suite A North Las Vegas, NV. 89030

Online, only at www.Registertovotenv.gov, and must have a valid Nevada DMV issued ID or Driver’s License

Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

Tuesday, October 25 (Deadline) to receive a mail ballot or vote a regular ballot in-person at any early voting site or Election Day Vote Center.

October 26 – November 8 (Online Same Day Registration), must show ID at early voting site or at Election Day Vote Center and may only vote a provisional ballot in-person at any early voting site or Election Day Vote Center.

Same Day Registration (In-Person), must have a valid Nevada DMV issued ID or Driver’s License

October 22 – November 4 (all early voting sites, during voting hours); November 8 (Election Day at all Vote Centers, by close of polls)

CITY CLERK’S OFFICE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES AND HOURS (Mail or Over the Counter) Location Dates Hours

Boulder City City Clerk’s Office 401 California Avenue Boulder City, Nevada 89005

City of Henderson City Clerk’s Office 240 Water Street Henderson, Nevada 89015

City of Las Vegas City Clerk’s Office 495 S. Main Street 2nd Floor Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

City of North Las Vegas City Clerk’s Office 2250 Las Vegas Blvd. North Las Vegas, Nevada 89030

City of Mesquite City Clerk’s Office 10 E. Mesquite Blvd. Mesquite, Nevada 89027

Monday - Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday - Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday - Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday – Thursday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

Monday – Thursday Friday Tuesday, October 11 (Deadline)

7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday Closed

8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.

7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday Closed

7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

license or DMV-issued identification Card, and wishes

A qualified elector who

(Nevada Secretary of State).

identification Card prior to voting.

Nevada and federal law require first-time registrants to provide an identifying number (Nevada driver’s license number or the last four digits of their social security number). If these do not match the records maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles or Social Security Administration, the registrant will be required to present identification before being allowed to vote. Forms of current and valid identification include a Nevada Driver’s License, Nevada I.D. Card, military identification card, OR a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, paycheck, or document issued by a government entity, listing the registrant’s name, and residential address. These individuals have been notified by mail of this requirement.

For more information, call the Clark County Election Department at (702) 455-8683.

FLU VACCINE FOR ELDERS. Kristine Joy Velando (left), a nurse from City Health Office I, administers a free flu vaccine to a senior citizen at Barangay Health Center, Salitran

Dasmariñas City, Cavite on Thursday, Oct.

The city government vaccination aims to protect the city’s

the

pandemic. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

VEGAS&STYLE

Drag Race Philippines crowns

Precious Paula Nicole as first winner

by Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

BICOLANA drag queen and Divine Diva Precious Paula Nicole was crowned the first-ever winner of "Drag Race Philippines," earning her the title of "the country's first drag superstar."

Precious was victorious among the Top 4 finalists that included Marina Summers, Xilhouette, and Eva Le Queen.

The finale saw the remaining queens face off in Lip Sync Smackdowns for the Crown, where Precious went up against Eva while Marina faced off her drag mother Xilhouette.

Precious won against Eva in a lip sync battle of RuPaul's — host and showrunner of the original "Drag Race" — song "Sissy That Walk" while Marina narrowly beat Xilhoutte as they lip synced another RuPaul hit "Call Me Mother."

Marina and Precious then battled to a lip sync performance of "Sirena" by Gloc 9 feat. Ebe Dancel, and while both queens had Ru-veals to up their chances, Precious' winning move was when she pulled out the pride colors to drape around her neck.

While the show was filmed last year, two crowning moment versions were filmed for both Top 2 queens, leaving it a mystery for even the competing queens who the actual winner was until the finale aired.

At a finale viewing party held at The Cove in Okada, Precious was visibly shocked and holding back tears when she was announced the winner surrounded by all the contestants except for Gigi Era,

who is in Australia.

Precious then took the stage as the first drag superstar of the Philippines and was crowned by main judge KaladKaren. Fellow judges Rajo Laurel, Jon Santos, BJ Pascual and Nadine Lustre were also in attendance, while main judge and host Paolo Ballesteros caught up later in full drag.

"Sobra-sobrang pasasalamat sa inyong lahat, sa Diyos, at kay RuPaul — pareng RuPaul thank you at see you soon!" Precious said after composing herself with curses, and expressing she wants to share the win with Marina.

The winning queen also shared her love for her fellow contestants, namely Marina, Eva, Xilhouette, her Divine Diva sisters Viñas DeLuxe and Brigiding, Minty Fresh, Lady Morgana, Turing, Corazon, Prince and the absent Gigi.

"Sa lahat ng mga queens na nakasama ko sa loob... para sa atin lahat 'to, sa lahat ng queens dito sa Pilipinas na makakikilala niyo," said Precious, teasing more was to come.

Precious' time on "Drag Race Philippines" was highlighted by

Filipino singer Adie’s song named by Rolling Stone, Spotify as among ‘future of music’

FILIPINO singer Adie was included in Spotify's RADAR Program, which features up-andcoming global artists and one of their songs coined to be "the future of music around the world."

Adie's featured song was his single "Mahika," which he performed and co-wrote with singer Janine Berdin; as of writing, the song has over 47 million streams on Spotify.

In a write-up for Rolling Stone, Tara Aquino wrote that "Mahika" was a perfect example of the acoustic ballads that Filipino musicians do best.

"Whether or not you can understand the lyrics, you can feel the hopefulness in its heart-based, contemporary pop sound that’s so authentic to Adie," Aquino also wrote.

Other featured artists include South Korea's NMIXX, Egypt's Ali Loka, Canada's Saya Gray, Chile's Ak4:20, South Africa's DBN Gogo, and the United Kingdom's Cat Burns.

The featured artists, including Adie, all appeared on a billboard in New York City's Times Square promoting the RADAR Program.

Adie is currently preparing for the "PULSO" concert alongside Kean Cipriano and Unique Salonga, his manager and fellow members in OC Records, on November 29 in Quezon City's New Frontier Theater.

Spotify recently partnered with digital creators and stars of the The D'Amelio Show, Dixie and Charli D’Amelio to launch GetReadyWithMusic, a playful, interactive experience that invites users to take a quiz to get personalized playlists inspired by

the textures, tones and vibes of their outfit.

“We had such a great time working with Spotify on the GetReadyWithMusic feature. I love how we were able to dress up and make different playlists for every look – and of course listening to amazing music the whole time!” Dixie and Charli D’Amelio enthused.

Whether it’s getting ready for a night out, prepping for a workout, or heading out for dinner with friends, Spotify is helping listeners soundtrack their “GRWM” (or, “get ready with me”) routines, no matter the occasion.

Here’s how to discover the experience for yourself:

• First, make sure you have the latest version of the Spotify app.

• Visit https://spotify.com/ getreadywithmusic on your mobile device (available on iOS

and Android).

• Next, answer the prompted questions to tell Spotify about the vibes of your outfit–this is where you’ll share what you’re getting ready for, and describe your fit’s color story and texture.

• Then, upload a photo of yourself in the outfit to serve as the cover of your new playlist.

• Finally, you’ll receive a personalized, outfitcomplementing playlist – complete with custom cover art–to stream and share with friends on social.

Once you’ve gone through the experience a few times, don’t forget to check out your Music Closet, where you’ll find all of the outfit playlists you’ve created so far.

Fall in love with Spotify's latest Originals that gives young Filipinos the lowdown from love to Pinoy culture. With Spotify's latest feature, these video podcasts, it's almost like being in the same room. Reeland-real life couple Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi realize their passion project and venture into podcasting through MavLine on Me, designed to open up their love story to a broader audience, through a variety of conversations and to give a voice to their fellow young wallflowers.

Social media star Nana Silayro joins Spotify with Talking Nansense with Nana Silayro. With co-host Tomas Falconite, Nana promises light-hearted topics and conversations that would be a perfect companion for any activity–whether in transit, while on a leisurely walk, or even before bedtime. (Philstar.com)

Adie Photo from Instagram/@adadieee

The winner of the inaugural "Drag Race Philippines" Precious Paula Nicole flanked by her Divine Divas sisters Viñas DeLuxe and Brigiding. Philstar.com photo

Meet the Fil-Ams working in the Biden...

Lourdes Tiglao

Executive Director for Center for Women Veterans

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN

Lourdes Tiglao, Executive Director for Center for Women Veterans, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

With a background across vari ous sectors, including the military, business and health care, Tiglao’s current role focuses on policies, programs and legislation that af fect women veterans. She served in the U.S. Air Force as part of the Critical Care Air Transport Team with deployments to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, the Philippines, and more.

How has being Filipino Amer ican shaped your identity and career path?

As a Filipino American immi grant growing up in Indiana, I didn’t see many people like me — even when I joined the military, assimilating myself to my dif ferent environments rather than celebrating who I am. It wasn’t until I found that my fluency in my language being a critical as

set to one of my deployments that changed how I saw the impor tance of celebrating my identity and all the unique assets that I bring — where I don’t shy away at bringing my full self. Filipino Americans aren’t always well-rep resented in many spaces, yet we occupy a rather unique nexus of intersectional identities, and I appreciate being able to bring that intersectional lens of being a Filipino American immigrant, a woman Veteran, and a voice for those women Veterans who find themselves voiceless because I’ve walked the same path.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Fili pino American?

Even before I joined the mili tary, I’ve felt a calling to service, so I have spent my life in various forms of service through vol unteering, military service, and through veteran advocacy — whether it’s with Team Rubicon or another veteran service orga nization. I joined the Biden-Harris administration because I believe in the vision that the administra tion has set in bringing people together under a larger umbrella

Jason Tengco

White House Liaison

U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Hometown: Foster City, CA

With over a decade of ex perience in public service and community organizing, Tengco serves as the primary advisor to the White House and OPM senior leadership on hiring the agency’s political appointees, manages pri ority projects with the Presidential Personnel Office, and supervis es the processing of non-career appointments across the federal government. His resume includes the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Outreach Lead for the Biden-Harris transition team, executive director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations, and Deputy Direc tor of the White House Initiative on AAPIs under the Obama-Biden administration.

How has being Filipino Amer ican shaped your identity and career path?

My identity as a second-gen eration Filipino American was fostered while I was a college stu

dent at UCLA. I remember asking my parents to tell me about my family’s history, and they shared stories of how my relatives served in local government, my paternal grandfather was a lawyer, and my maternal grandfather fought in World War II. I’ve come to realize that public service quite literally runs in my blood and that my an cestors paved the way for me to enter a career in government and community organizing.

Why did you join the Biden-Harris Administration, and what does it mean as a Fili pino American?

I joined the Biden-Harris ad ministration because I believe in the President and Vice President’s vision and wanted to a play a part in building a better America for generations to come. As OPM’s White House Liaison, I’m passion ate about helping build an Admin istration that “looks like America” and implementing OPM’s mission

and giving space to the different threads of people that make up the fabric of this nation. As a Filipino American immigrant, I appreciate having the opportunity to bring strength to that fabric by bringing not only the lens of my experi ences, but also to support and in spire other Filipino Americans to feel empowered — to bring their whole selves in support of our nation. It is through our diversity of thought and experiences that we can enlighten, empower, and strengthen our nation.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?   Filipino American History Month allows me to not only have an opportunity to reconnect with my roots, my community, and my diaspora, but it also allows me to share these very personal and inextricable parts of me that makes me who I am. This month is as much a celebration of my heritage, of the values it has in stilled in me growing up in the Philippines, as it is a celebration of how far our nation has come in welcoming the diversity of the people that comprise our nation, celebrating the richness and full ness of our culture and humanity.

Before joining ICE, Young berg’s experience includes inter governmental relations, nonprofit management and grassroots or ganizing. She served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Intergov ernmental Affairs and Public En gagement at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop ment (HUD) for seven years.

How has being Filipino Amer ican shaped your identity and career path?

Being a woman, a minority

of being a champion of talent for the federal government. And as Filipino American appointee, I’m committed to strengthening the pipeline for diverse communities to enter public service.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

“No history, no self. Know his tory, know self.” That has always been a favorite quote of mine since college.  It reminds me how Filipino American History Month is an important time to reflect on our history, uplift our stories and voices, and celebrate our heritage and culture.

Francey Lim Youngberg

Assistant Director for the Office of Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement Hometown: Sara, Iloilo

and an immigrant from the Phil ippines significantly impacted my life and career choices. Hav ing grown up under martial law in the Philippines instilled in me how important it is to safeguard democratic ideals and values and to mentor the next generation of leaders to do the same. So, I be came a lawyer, an advocate and a public servant.  Why did you join the Biden-Harris administration, and what does it mean as a Fili pino American?  Representation at the highest levels of government is critical to the advancement of under served and underrepresented groups like Filipino Americans. My earlier career was devoted to advocating for the advance ment of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the legal profession, at the Smithsonian, in accessing basic government

Veronica M. Valdez

Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense, White House Liaison

U.S. Department of Defense

Hometown: Sydney, Australia

Prior to joining the U.S. Depart ment of Defense, Valdez’s posi tions include the Special Assis tant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and the Commission Spe cialist to the Commission Presi dent at the Port of Seattle. She was the former Deputy Chief of Staff to the U.S. Secretary of the Air Force and served as the Secretary’s pol icy advisor during official visits to Asia-Pacific, South America, and Europe.

How has being Filipino Ameri can shaped your identity and ca reer path?

Being Filipino has always been central to my identity – speaking Tagalog, cooking and eating Filipi no food, enjoying Filipino shows, and many of my close friends are Filipinos.

I recall growing up go ing to Filipino Mass on Sundays with my family and going to Filipi no Saturday school to learn about heritage and culture. We also fre quently performed Filipino cultur

al dances during festivals and my father was the Vice President of the Filipino Cultural Association.

Being Filipino American has been one of the main reasons that I’ve been interested in learning about Asia Pacific issues. I have a Master’s degree focused on Pacif ic International Affairs and my pol icy background has been focused on Indo-Pacific relations and U.S. relationships with the Indo-Pacif ic.

Why did you join the Biden-Har ris administration, and what does it mean as a Filipino American?

services, and fighting for a seat at the table where decisions are made. Having served in the Obama Administration and now the Biden-Harris Administration, I am influenced by my life experi ences as I strive to ensure inclu sion, transparency and account ability in government.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

Filipino American History month should be every day – all of us who are in leadership positions should educate the American public of the Filipino American stories that are part of the Amer ican historical narrative. When I was working at the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Cen ter, we put together the Filipino American Centennial Commem oration with exhibits, public programming and educational outreach in 2006 and the exhibit traveled from 2008-2012.

I joined the Biden-Harris Ad ministration because I believe in this democracy and the values this Administration upholds. I serve the Biden-Harris Administration because I want to be on the right side of history and be part of the positive change that this Admin istration is doing on behalf of all Americans including the Filipino American community I represent.

As a Filipino American in national

security, it is important to me to help build the diverse bench in the national security space and I am now in a position to do so.

What does Filipino American History Month mean to you?

To me, being Filipino has al ways been synonymous with com munity so Filipino American His tory Month means celebrating the Filipino American community. It also means honoring our heritage and history and the many contri butions our community has made to this country.

Next week’s MDWK Magazine will feature Part II of more Fil-Am officials in the Biden-Harris admin istration.

Jason Tengco, White House Liaison, U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Veronica M. Valdez, Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense (White House Liaison), U.S. Department of Defense

Francey Lim Youngberg Assistant Director for the Office of Partnership and Engagement, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement

There are many things to do in Pahrump

Racing, biking, shooting among recreational activities for residents, visitors

by RealtoR Fely Quitevis-Bateman

THERE are times when the question of “What activities can we do in that place?” becomes one of the main questions when a person is considering a location to invest property in, buy a first or second home, or retire to.

This makes sense, obviously, because you would not want to move to an area where there is absolutely nothing for you to do.

Of course, aside from this, there is the question of availability, affordability and getting a good return on your investment. In this week’s article, I will focus on some of the things that you can do recreationally in Pahrump, which is located about 62 miles west of Las Vegas.

If racing or motorsports is your passion, look no further than Spring Mountain Motor Resort and Country Club, which is currently owned by John Morris. The place hosts various driving schools, track rentals and is the home of a private motorsports country club.

It has North America’s longest racetrack at 6.1 miles, and there are plans to expand the racetrack to over 9 miles when construction is completed. There are 18 different configurations for the racetrack available to racecar enthusiasts, from the South Course which is just 1 mile, to the Long Course which covers all 6.1 miles.

The company’s expansion plans

which made the news in February of this year has generated excitement in the community as job openings have resulted with these expansion plans, with some reports saying that “Spring Mountain will be one of the most exciting places to work and build a long-lasting career.”

Incidentally, right next to the racetrack is Spring Mountain Estates, luxury trackside homesites where homeowners will have access to all the amenities that Spring Mountain has to offer, which includes the Clubhouse Lounge, workout facility, and other services (e.g. massage therapist). What’s more, owning a home at the Spring Mountain Estates puts you minutes away from the cool, clear waters of Lake Spring Mountain where you can enjoy activities like paddle boarding, kayaking, flying on jetpack and more. There are 80 homesite lots (for home and mixed-use), 50 of which have been sold. As of now, there are 17 homes built or are under construction.

If cycling is your passion, a new bicycling group in Pahrump called Pahrump Valley Cyclists, is inviting the community to ride with them, according to the Pahrump Valley Times. This social club gathers biking enthusiasts for fitness and for fun, and welcomes riders of all age levels and gender.

The club’s goal is to connect cyclists and allow them the

opportunity to get together and enjoy group rides in Pahrump and neighboring communities.

The group’s rides can be shifted to accommodate cyclists of all levels, from beginners to the more experienced.

If walking or hiking is what drives you, there are many trails and parks in the area that are of interest. Among them are Discovery Park, Ian Deutch Memorial Park, Calvada Eye, Simkins Park and Petrack Park. These areas offer trails, opportunities for bird watching and nature-tripping, and wonderful walkways to share with the four-legged members of your family. What’s more, there are friendly residents to chat with or share a moment with as you

enjoy your walk or hike.

Golf, one of the popular sports in the country, has a presence in Pahrump with the Mountain Falls Golf Club, which is co-designed by famed architecture firms Nicklaus Design Group and Cal Olson Design. It is an 18-hole golf course and country club that is capable of hosting events of all types, be it weddings, holiday parties, corporate weddings and more. It has visually striking, breathtaking views, and is a must-visit visitors to the area.

I had the pleasure of hosting the late former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos at Mountain Falls Golf Club many, many years ago. He was impressed with it, and enjoyed playing golf at the club.

Aside from these, there are many other activities to do in the area. Sports activities include leagues for soccer, basketball, baseball and softball. Residents can indulge in tennis, bowling, martial arts (karate, jiu jitsu, muay Thai) and even horseback riding.

There are gambling establishments in Pahrump, which include the Pahrump Nugget Casino, Terrible’s Lakeside Casino, Saddle West Hotel, Casino & RV Resort, Irene’s Casino and Terrible’s Road House Casino.

When you have partaken of all the things that you want to do in Pahrump, there is Las Vegas, which is less than an hour’s drive from Pahrump. Concerts, theater shows, more gambling, shopping and dining is at your fingertips in Las Vegas.

Whether you want to consider Pahrump as your retirement place, your next residence or an investment, it has many factors going for it. Real estate prices continue to thrive in Pahrump and it is one of the many places that housing builders are looking at, especially with the skyrocketing

land prices in Las Vegas.

Pahrump’s proximity to Las Vegas and it’s having less crime and big city problems make it ideal for those looking to settle down with their family in another area, or a prospect for those wanting to invest in their future.

Now is the time to take a look at Pahrump. I can help you look for the best real estate opportunities in the area. I have had decades of experience in helping clients find the piece (or pieces) of real estate to add to their portfolio, or that piece of land where they want to build their house or rental property.

My company, Precious Properties, is a full-service company that has served its clientele since 1992. You can reach me at 775-513-8447, 805559-2476 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)

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

Gloria Estillore of Silicon Valley (right) is looking for a large commercial parcel to build at least a minimum 100-bed assisted living facility. She is in photo above with Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman.

Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (right) with Dr. Philip Palarecio (left) who is planning to expand his dental clinic to Pahrump. Dr. Palarecio has one of the most advanced dental facilities in Las Vegas.

In photo above are some of my big repeat investors – Dr. Pete Racoma, and Wilmer & Gerlie Comahig – who got approved for a 100-bed senior living resort on Homestead Road.

Tony and Neneth Suarez are extremely happy with their Airbnb in Pahrump, which is always fully booked. All their kids own properties in Pahrump as well. With them is Realtor Fely Quitevis-Bateman (middle, standing).

Iya sparks curiosity and creativity in the kitchen

IYA Villania is bringing out again her “Mamazing Iya” persona for Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.’s fourth season. Some think that the character is an extension of the 24 Oras Chika Minute host. Both are bubbly and modern moms. They also take on the challenge to prepare delicious and healthy meals for loved ones.

“Ngayong lumalaki na sila, kasi nung maliit sila… kahit anong i-prepare ko para sa kanila, wala naman silang alam kundi kainin lang eh (It’s challenging now that they are growing up, as compared to when they were little. Whatever I prepared then, they would eat it),” said Iya of how her creativity in the kitchen is being tested when cooking up food for her older children in a recent virtual press conference. She and husband Drew Arellano are blessed with three boys (Primo, six, Leon, four, and Astro, only months old) and a daughter (Alana, two). Her show’s Season 4, presented by Ajinomoto and GMA 7, premieres tomorrow, Oct. 14, at 11:05 a.m.

“Siyempre habang lumalaki

(ay) parang biglang ayaw na nila ng green, ayaw na nila ng ganito, ayaw na nila ng ganyan (It seems all of a sudden, they don’t like greens, or this or that particular food),” added she. “As they grow up and there’s change in their taste palate, I also have to make some changes and I also have to experiment.”

Iya finds a way to provide what the kids prefer and instill in them the value of healthy eating (like to include vegetables in their diet). Such task is made easier because she has a partner in Drew Arellano, who is a good cook himself.

“Drew is very strict when it comes to food that children eat and (he) really wants to make sure there’s vegetable and protein,” shared Iya, who also named ginisang pechay with ground beef; Chicken Curry, Pinoy style; Adobo; and chicken nuggets with spinach as among viands she prepares for the young ones.

Like fellow mommies out there, Iya will add more recipes to her collection with the latest season of Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.

“Every time there’s a new season, it’s always good news

for me and Jose,” said Iya. “I have to say that we have been so blessed because even during the pandemic, tuloy pa rin ang laban namin dito sa Eat Well, Live Well.

Stay Well., and until now that things are going back to normal, we’re still here. So we’re happy to serve you, guys, lalo na as we all know, I’m sure when you all watch the news, there are so many changes in our economy, especially in our supplies and our produce.”

With that, Iya and Chef Jose Sarasola, also known as Chef Cuz in the show, will help and guide viewers with these changes in preparing meals for the family, said she.

“The change in time (is) also very important in, you know, fixing our recipes to cater to everyone. This is a bit pricey dish, so we have to make it a little more affordable and to make the dishes still very budget-friendly, pero masarap pa rin na mag-eenjoy yung whole family and of course, healthier as well,” Jose added and shared that the soonto-be served menus are “talagang sobrang kakaiba, sobrang sarap, sobrang unique ng mga recipes.

So, kailangan abangan ng mga Kapuso yan.”

Since the ber months are upon us, the hosts said they also have specific recipes with a twist, which are perfect for noche buena or New Year’s Eve and Day celebration.

“I really look forward to each season because each season always brings new recipes,” said Iya, “and for someone who loves to be in the kitchen, for someone who, I mean, with all honesty, I started… I wasn’t all that confident in the kitchen. It’s been through Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well that I’ve been gaining confidence. So, with each season, there are new recipes that I get to take home and also use here at home. Kaya sobrang nakakatuwa.”

Aside from the budget-friendly and healthy dishes Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well. has been preparing for viewers, Iya said, “when we give you, guys, something new to do, it sparks curiosity, and I’m hoping after that, siyempre ‘pag inisip nila na ‘Ay, OK. Alam mo hindi ko ito naisip gawin.’ Now that they have something new they have

already tried, perhaps they can also experiment with other things they have already done in the kitchen. I’d really like to think that through our very easy and simple recipes, nagkakaroon sila ng confidence to prepare homemade

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meals, kasi iba rin talaga kapag lutong bahay.”

Iya is always ready to be Mamazing Iya, who has become a voice of healthy eating and living from the pandemic times to the new normal.

Iya will ‘slip into’ the Mamazing Iya persona in Eat Well, Live Well. Stay Well.’s fourth season.

Photo from Instagram/@iyavillania

Features

Health tips Elmo steps out of his comfort zone

PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS

EXPERTS predict that while the United States was basically spared from influenza the past two years, the lower flu vaccination rate that resulted in low levels of immunity and the relaxation of COVID-19 mitigating strategy could trigger a harsher flu season this winter as the cold weather makes people stay indoors. The lower flu incidence was due to the masking and distancing measures employed against COVID-19.

Since new strains of the flu virus evolve season to season, the flu vaccines are reformulated each year to target the predominant strains based on monitoring data before the actual season. So, vaccines are updated and precisely created regularly for specific flu viruses.

Long COVID Federal statistics as of September 26, 2022, show that about 15 percent of adults who were infected with COVID-19 are now having symptoms of Long COVID. About 81 percent of these individuals suffer (a quarter of them significantly) from reduced ability to do day-to-day chores, with the limitations more among 18-29 and less for those 40-49 years old. This translates to mean that more than 18 million adults in the U.S. who are experiencing Long COVID and 15 million having difficulty performing their daily functions. Long COVID is one more reason why waiting to get COVID-19 infection to achieve natural immunity, instead of getting vaccinated, is foolhardy and dangerous, with some people dying in the process.

COVID and flu shots

The bivalent COVID-19 vaccines, reformulated to target Omicron and its various subvariants currently in play, are most helpful in preventing the infection, minimizing the symptoms if one still gets infected, and reducing the hospitalization and death rates. COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna) could be mixed-and-matched, both equally good. In spite of what naysayers say, vaccines are safe and effective. More than 5.3 billion have been administered around the globe. And with the flu season predicted to be worse, it behooves all of us to get the flu shot also. The two vaccines could be administered one in each arm at the same seating, if desired.

Super painful One of the most painful conditions one can experience is that of having shingles, a dreaded disease caused by varicella zoster virus, which also causes chickenpox. The virus stays dormant in the body from previous chickenpox infection and suddenly erupts among the unvaccinated. About 30 percent of the U.S. population will have shingles at some point in their life. The very painful rash with blisters could affect one side of the face or one side of the body, along the rib cage, which could take 2 to 4 weeks to go away. Other symptoms could include fever, chills, headache, and upset stomach. About 1018 percent of these patients develop postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), nerve pains on the site of the infection after the rash has gone away even weeks later. The vaccine, Shingrix, is greater than 90 percent effective, even for

those who had shingles before, given in 2 doses, two to six months apart. This is one vaccine to seriously consider having.

Consult your physician about it. Blankets and sleep Studies have revealed that weighted blankets increase the body’s production of melatonin by 30 percent, a natural hormone that helps sleep. The research was done at Uppsala University, which also shows there was no increases in the levels of other hormones, like cortisol, oxytoxin, or sympathetic nervous system function. In the meantime, sales of weighted blankets are expected to reach $1.17 billion in 4 years.

Eating late and obesity

Eating late appears to increase the risk for weight gain and obesity, reports a new study.

Late dinner, nearer bedtime, “impacts energy expenditures, appetite, and molecular pathway in adipose (fat) tissues.” It also doubles the odds of being hungry.

The conventional wisdom or advice is to avoid eating late at night. Eating late could also lead to lesser weight loss among dieters, and even among those who had “weight-loss” surgery.

Eating at least 4 hours before bedtime and being physically active after eating instead of sitting on the couch, helps in energy expenditures. Obviously, midnight snacks are discouraged.

Artificial sweeteners

Are artificial sweeteners safe?

This has been a decades-old question in the minds of people. These health concerns are confirmed by a new finding that links their intake to increased risk of heart disease and stroke events.

This prospective French study was published in the British Medical Journal on September 7, 2022. This new research is different from previous studies on artificial sweeteners used in soft drinks.

The startling and scary finding is that the amount of artificial sweetener in one can of soft drink is enough to increase the risk for such cardiovascular events. The use of artificial sweeteners is clearly linked to weight gain and heart disease. Obesity, for one, increases the risk for cancer also.

The current study involved 103,388 French adults. The sweeteners studied were aspartame (58 percent of intake), acesulfame potassium (29 percent) and sucralose (10 percent), with the other 3 percent were various other sweeteners like cyclamates and saccharin.

Natural sweeteners made from Stevia leaves (Truvia, Stevia Zero, Splenda Natural Stevia, etc.) were not included in this study.

Bedtime and dementia

Sleep is vital to health, and 8 hours of a restful sleep is essential to life. But studies show that too early a bedtime (before 8 PM) and sleeping more than 8 hours may increase the risk for dementia, as shown by a clinical study of 1,982 older adults in China. This initial finding needs more independent and larger studies of various people in different countries to confirm this observation.

Sleep Apnea

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition where the person repeatedly goes into breathholding, even more than 100 times a night, depriving the whole body of oxygen during each of those moments. Untreated OSA increases the risk for heart attacks, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer. The gold standard of therapy is the use of Continuous Positive Air Pressure machine

Drag Race Philippines crowns Precious Paula...

her charm and authenticity which had her voted president during the Ru-lections, her many outfits dedicated to her mother, and an entertaining impersonation of Regine Velasquez in front of "Asia's Songbird" herself.

Many will agree one of her best moments was during the "Twinning!" episode where she transformed her youngest brother John-John, who traveled from Bicol, into a drag queen; John-John was also at the finale vieweing party to see his older sibling crowned.

As the winner Precious was awarded P1 million and oneyear supply of ONE/SIZE beauty cosmetics by Filipino-American make-up artist Patrick Starrr.

In the finale the competing queens voted Lady Morgana as Ms. Congeniality of "Drag Race Philippines" where Miss Universe 2015 and guest judge Pia Wurtzbach-Alonso made a stunning return; a similar awarding took place at the finale viewing party where the sole drag queen from Mindanao took to the stage.

Later during the night, Eva and Brigiding expressed their own hopes for the future of "Drag Race Philippines," that it wasn't just a trend and would enter mainstream territory.

"We don't think this is the end, it's just the beginning of another race," the two queens told Philstar.com, before going onstage to perform the show's viral hit "Pop Off Ate!" with the other queens, including Prince and Corazon even though they were eliminated early.

No official announcement for a second season has been announced by HBO Go and discovery+, this despite celebrity fashion designer and rotating judge Rajo Laurel telling Philstar.com in a separate exclusive interview that Season 2 of "Drag Race Philippines" is on its way.

during sleep. The positive pressure keeps the tongue and the soft (palate) tissue in the tonsillar area from collapsing and blocking the airway. Even snoring stops. Various nose and mouth gadgets being marketed as anti-snore devices are all useless and a waste of money. Not to mention dangerous because of the false sense of security they provide, delaying genuine medical diagnosis and treatment. Some people have died in bed from OSA.

A Sleep Study confirms the diagnosis and is needed for Medicare coverage for a CPAP machine every five years.

* * *

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

* * *

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

* * *

Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, Health Advocate, newspaper columnist, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States.

Websites: FUN8888.com, Today.SPSAtoday. com, and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

by Jerry Donato Philstar.com

HIS fans are accustomed to see him performing on stage and acting in a scene. This is what constitutes Elmo Magalona’s creative pursuit and comfort zone. In Pie Night Long (PNL) Sessions over PIE Channel, Elmo shows his gift of the gab, Sunday nights from 8 to 10. It’s refreshing to see how Elmo, with his co-host Vivoree, a Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) alumna, hosts and holds the show together. PNL Sessions is the virtual weekend musicfest edition of Pie Night Long, a show that sees jocks-hosts living the life of workers and giving viewers love and life advice, among other things, from Mondays to Fridays, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m.

“This is actually my first venture as a host,” said the Kapamilya artist in a recent virtual press conference. “Kaya sa lahat po dito, feeling ko ako yung pinaka-inexperienced (Among the hosts here, I feel I’m the inexperienced), but I want to take on this experience talaga, (so for me to) show a different side of me.”

So far, his hosting stint in PNL Sessions is “so good.”

“Ang ganda nung experience, nakakausap ko rin ang iba’t-ibang (I also get to talk to different) creative minds when it comes to music,” said he.

Joining him in the interactive weekend tambayan, available on TV and in any devices, is Vivoree, whose talents are also performing and acting

“I came from PBB. Hindi ako madaldal talaga (I don’t talk that much) at all,” shared she. “I’m medyo quiet and observant. Here, in Pie Night Long Sessions, I’m

able to express myself more. I’m able to showcase my love and appreciation for music more. My first love is really singing, but I didn’t have the platform or like the chance to showcase it to the whole world (then).” The multiplatform show also grants her and Elmo the chance to cook up performances.

“So, I have the chance to show the whole world that I can sing,” said Vivoree.

The tandem of Elmo and Vivoree is another highlight of the Pie Night Long Sessions.

“Actually, I’m happy that I get to work with Vivoree,” said Elmo.

“Before, nakasama ko siya in acting workshops. For me, my fans are very supportive and nowadays, they are very welcoming of any (work) partner na makasama ko. Since we, me and Vivoree, both love music, we work very easily dito sa PNL Sessions.” Yes, the two click well.

“Our fans are very supportive of us,” agreed Vivoree. “With Elmo, they know that he is musically inclined din. Talagang nag-wowork yung tandem namin kasi we both love music nga. They are very supportive.” So, everything goes smoothly between them. Their work partnership can be compared to, let’s say, a voice that sits well with the melody of a song.

“Like I said earlier, this is the first time that I get to be on the other side of the spectrum since mas sanay nga akong nag-pe-perform or acting as the character,” said Elmo of the enjoyment in doing PNL Sessions. “This time, I’m the one asking our musical guests like how they work on their craft. Since PIE is an interactive channel, na nakakaengage namin kaagad ang ating mga Ka-tro-PIE, nagugustuhan ko

rin yung pwedeng mag-react agad ang ating mga viewers sa mga naririnig nilang songs na binibigay namin sa kanila (I like the idea that our viewers can easily react to the songs we’re playing in the show).”

In the show’s teaser, Elmo and Vivoree invite everyone to a weekend treat or me-time with PNL Sessions after a week of doing school work or beating work deadlines. The show engages one to listen to the sounds and talks, jam and sing along with artists and wait for their requested songs.

During the virtual interview, Elmo, who essays the role of lawyer Joseph in Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s TV series 2 Good 2 Be True, was also asked to give a message in inspiring the young people. His answer was: “Siguro just always follow your heart, but that also comes from siguro how I was raised by my parents, na masunurin din ako talaga (I am really obedient). Just always follow your heart and you follow the good path. That’s all I can say.

Precious Paula Nicole Photo from Instagram/@preciouspaulame

Elmo Magalona Photo from Instagram/@elmomagalona